Sleep Apnea Treatment in Kirkland, WA

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Sleep apnea affects millions of Americans, and it is considered one of the most common sleep disorders. In most cases, people do not even know that they are suffering from it.

Dr. Theron Manson works with many sleep experts to help our patients find solutions and get a better night’s rest. Our team will help you understand the signs and causes of obstructive sleep apnea. We will also discuss treatment in order to help you make informed decisions about your health

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea? 

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft palate, tongue and throat relax and move closer together during sleep which restricts breathing. Initially, this will cause your airway to become more narrow, leading to snoring, gasps, and worsening breathing problems. But, as your body enters deeper sleep (REM), these structures begin to seal completely, preventing your body from taking a full breath. This causes you to gasp for air and disrupts your sleeping pattern.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

  • Loud snoring
  • Episodes during which you stop breathing while asleep
  • Gasping for air during sleep
  • Wake up with dry lips
  • Morning headache
  • Daytime sleepiness

Sleep Apnea in Dentistry

The effects of sleep apnea can cause a tremendous amount of wear to your teeth. Oftentimes, people who aren’t sleeping properly tend to grind and clench their teeth together as they struggle for oxygen. This leads to damage to your teeth and existing restorations, ruining the investments of past dental treatments.

Some signs of sleep apnea may include:

  • Flat, worn, or chipped teeth
  • Broken fillings and crowns
  • Prominent jaw muscles
  • Tori, a non-pathological outgrowth of bone
  • Scalloping of the tongue
  • Large neck circumference

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment

Some types of obstructive sleep apnea can be managed by wearing an oral appliance that naturally opens the airway and improves airflow as you rest. If you’re CPAP intolerant or dislike wearing the bulky prosthesis to bed, you may want to consider whether or not another option is available.

Depending on your oral anatomy and type of sleeping disorder, Dr. Manson can offer a few different types of oral appliances to choose from. Many of them work by repositioning the lower jaw in a way that prevents soft tissue blockage while you sleep

If you’re not already seeing a sleep physician, we can refer you to one if necessary. We also have an in-house sleep monitor that you can use to screen for potential signs of apnea at night. We’ll record a baseline reading both before the oral appliance is made and during use, so we can read the information and determine if improvement has been made. Most of our patients can tell a huge difference within the first day or two of wearing their appliance.

Say Goodbye to CPAP Equipment!

Get a better night’s sleep with sleep apnea treatment in Kirkland, WA! If you snore, or if you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, then ask Dr. Theron Manson if you qualify for a custom-designed oral appliance.

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