Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that can have a dramatic effect on your health and wellbeing. If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause problems with your breathing and your cardiovascular system. Fortunately, there are treatments available to help manage the symptoms of this disorder. Here at SLEEPwell in Longview, TX, we specialize in offering dental appliance therapy for patients who suffer from sleep apnea.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. During these pauses, oxygen levels decrease and carbon dioxide levels rise significantly. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat relax during sleep and block off the airway. This leads to difficulty breathing and inadequate oxygen throughout the night.
How Does a Dental Appliance Work?
At SLEEPwell in Longview, TX, our team uses custom-made dental appliances to treat mild to moderate cases of OSA. A dental appliance is similar to an orthodontic retainer or mouthguard – it fits over the teeth like a tray and helps keep the airways open while you’re sleeping by repositioning the lower jaw slightly forward. This prevents soft tissue at the back of your throat from collapsing into your airway and blocking off your breathing passages while you’re sleeping.
Dental appliances are comfortable to wear and can be easily adjusted to ensure an optimal fit for each patient’s mouth shape and size. They also tend to be less obtrusive than other types of treatments such as CPAP machines (continuous positive airway pressure). In addition, they are relatively affordable and easy to take care of compared with other treatment options available for sleep apnea sufferers today.
If you or someone you know suffers from mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Longview TX, consider seeking out dental appliance therapy from SLEEPwell today! Our team specializes in providing customized dental appliances that can help manage OSA symptoms without having to resort to more invasive treatments such as CPAP machines or surgery. Contact us today for more information about how we can help you get a better night’s rest with our customized dental appliances!
Contact SLEEPwell Longview
903-663-5895
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
3121 H G Mosley Pkwy Ste A
Longview, TX
75605
