Sleep Apnea
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
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Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your muscles relax during sleep, allowing the soft tissue to collapse and block the airway. As a result, sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing up to hundreds of times a night for anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute. If left untreated, sleep apnea can be a potentially life threatening condition. It can increase the risk for other serious health problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression and impotence.
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Some signs of sleep apnea are:
1. Snoring
2. Excessive daytime sleepiness
3. Memory problems
4. Irritability
5. Fatigue
6. Insomnia
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Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea that fits easily into your lifestyle. A dental oral appliance looks like a sports mouth guard and is worn only during sleep. It supports the jaw in a forward position to help maintain an open upper airway, preventing sleep apnea and snoring.

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Once you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea by a sleep physician, a dentist experienced in dental sleep medicine can make a custom-fitted oral appliance using impressions and models of your teeth. Oral appliance therapy is covered by many medical insurance plans.
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Patients like oral appliance therapy because:
1. Comfortable
2. Easy to wear
3. Quiet
4. Portable
5. Convenient for travel
6. Easy to clean

For more detailed information, visit the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine