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Sleep Dentist In Charlotte, NC, Providing Oral Appliances For OSA
At Dentistry Of Uptown Charlotte, we strive to ensure peaceful nights for patients with sleep appliances. The CPAP machine is the recommended approach for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but there is also an alternative treatment known as oral appliance therapy. This therapy involves using a mouth guard-like appliance or a dental device that helps stabilize the tongue. Whether you are seeking oral appliances or a sleep dentist in Charlotte, NC, call (704) 322-4935. Book your appointment with Dr. Minka Hotic to improve your quality of life.
Overview
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious disorder where a person's breathing is interrupted during sleeping hours. Those with untreated sleep disorders may stop breathing multiple times throughout the night. There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed. OSA is the most common and occurs when the upper airway is partially or completely blocked during sleep.
This causes the diaphragm and chest muscles to work harder to open the airway, often resulting in a loud gasp or body jerk. Central sleep apnea, on the other hand, occurs when the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center. This type of apnea is related to the central nervous system and cannot be treated with oral appliance therapy. Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of both central and OSA.
Who Gets Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Approximately 25 percent of men and nearly 10 percent of women experience obstructive sleep disorder. This condition can affect individuals of all ages, including babies, children, and especially those over the age of forty and who are overweight. Patients with OSA often exhibit certain physical traits and clinical features, such as excessive weight, a large neck, and structural abnormalities that narrow the upper airway. These abnormalities may include nasal obstruction, a low-hanging soft palate, enlarged tonsils, or a small jaw with an overbite.
What Causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
OSA occurs when the airway is blocked, typically due to the collapse of soft tissue in the back of the throat during sleep. On the other hand, central sleep apnea is commonly seen in patients with central nervous system dysfunction, such as those who have experienced a stroke or have neuromuscular diseases. It is also prevalent in individuals with heart failure and other cardiac and pulmonary conditions. Irrespective of the underlying cause, there are appliances to treat sleep apnea efficiently. Contact Dr. Hoitc, your sleep dentist in Charlotte, NC, for a thorough assessment and recommend the best appliance to address this condition.
FAQs On Sleep Apnea Appliances
Q1: How do sleep apnea appliances work?
Ans: Sleep apnea appliances, such as oral appliances or mandibular advancement devices, reposition the jaw to keep the airway open during sleep, reducing or eliminating episodes of breathing cessation and snoring.
Q2: Are sleep apnea appliances comfortable to wear?
Ans: Yes, most sleep apnea appliances are custom-made for a comfortable fit. While there may be an adjustment period, many patients find them more comfortable than CPAP machines, enhancing compliance with treatment.
Q3: Can sleep apnea appliances treat snoring?
Ans: Yes, sleep apnea appliances not only help manage sleep apnea but can also reduce or eliminate snoring by keeping the airway open and preventing the soft tissues in the throat from collapsing during sleep.
Q4: What is a sleep dentist, and how can they help with OSA?
Ans: A sleep dentist specializes in treating sleep disorders like sleep apnea. They can evaluate your symptoms, provide diagnostic tests, and recommend appropriate treatments, including sleep apnea appliances tailored to your needs.
