Sleep Apnea Treatment

Many people worldwide struggle with sleep apnea, a condition that causes interrupted breathing patterns during sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause a chain reaction of health concerns that can impact all aspects of your life.

Our patients routinely come to us complaining of the cumbersome PAP therapy their doctor has prescribed, and we are pleased to offer an alternative. At Crosby Dentistry, we can provide innovative solutions for sleep apnea, with dental appliances that are custom-made to help open your airway as you sleep. Enjoy a restful night’s sleep and wake each morning ready to start your day with sleep apnea treatment from Dr. Crosby.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that impacts a person’s breathing as they sleep. During a typical sleep cycle, sleep apnea will cause a person to stop breathing for a brief period, interrupting oxygen flow to the body. This condition is prevalent and impacts millions of people around the world. While some patients have success using a PAP machine to regulate their breathing during sleep, other patients rely on a dental device to help improve their breathing.

How Do I Know If I Have Sleep Apnea?

It can be hard to diagnose sleep apnea, especially for yourself. If you are sleeping alone, it is difficult to notice interruptions in your breathing patterns.

However, some common symptoms of sleep apnea can include:

• Snoring
• Excessive sleepiness during the day
• Headaches
• Dry mouth or throat when you wake
• Abrupt awakening followed by coughing or gasping

If you notice some of these telltale signs, it may be a good idea to schedule an appointment with Dr. Crosby for further evaluation. The sooner we can diagnose sleep apnea, the sooner we can find real solutions to improve your condition and get you a restful night’s sleep.

What Does Treatment Look Like?

The standard treatment for sleep apnea is a PAP machine that helps regulate your breathing. While this machine can be effective, many patients struggle with the bulkiness and clumsiness of the machine. Crosby Dentistry is pleased to offer a dental device that is less intrusive and more comfortable to sleep with.

A dental device can help regulate and improve sleep by keeping breathing patterns even and consistent. Usually, sleep apnea dental devices fall into one of two categories. One device helps move the lower jaw forward as you sleep, while the second device helps keep the tongue in proper position. These devices work to keep the airway open while eliminating the tongue as a possible obstruction. Each dental appliance will be custom-made for your individual needs.

Will a Dental Appliance Improve My Sleep Apnea?

Dental appliances can do wonders for patients to help them breathe normally as they sleep. For many, a dental appliance is enough to improve sleep apnea drastically. A dental device can be used in conjunction with PAP therapy and often shows the best result when used in conjunction with other therapies. Many people who rely on PAP therapy will also choose to have a dental appliance as a backup.

If you are unsure about adding a dental appliance to help improve your sleep apnea, contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Crosby. Together, you will evaluate the severity of your sleep apnea and determine if a dental appliance is right for you.