Sleep Apnea Treatment in Southfield, MI

What if the thing holding you back from feeling truly rested wasn’t just your busy schedule, but your own breathing at night? Millions of people live with sleep apnea without even realizing it, facing daily fatigue and long-term health risks. The good news is that effective sleep apnea treatment exists, and it could be simpler than you think.

At Aesthetic Dental, we offer oral appliances to help our patients treat sleep apnea comfortably, effectively, and affordably.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder, affecting nearly a third of American adults ages 20 and older. Those with sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly as they sleep, disrupting their sleep quality and increasing health risks. Depending on the condition’s severity, an individual may stop breathing 5-60+ times in an hour.

There are multiple types, but obstructive sleep apnea is the most common:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): In some individuals, the throat muscles relax so much that the airway collapses. This leads to breathing pauses and a drop in oxygen levels. For those with OSA, about 52% have a mild case, 30% have a moderate case, and 18% have a severe case.
• Central sleep apnea (CSA): Breathing stops because the brain fails to send the signals to the muscles responsible for breathing. This type is much less common than OSA.
• Complex sleep apnea: This third type combines features of both OSA and CSA. It can sometimes develop during treatment for OSA with a CPAP machine.

Signs and Symptoms

You may pick up on sleep apnea signs yourself, or a bed partner may point them out.

Common symptoms include:

• Loud, frequent, and irregular snoring
• Episodes of breathing stoppage observed by a bed partner
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Awakening with a dry mouth or headache
• Difficulty staying asleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Irritability
• Morning headaches
• Cognitive issues, such as memory problems, attention deficits, and processing delays

While not all people who snore have sleep apnea, it’s a prominent symptom of OSA. However, snoring alone, especially if mild or occasional, does not mean you have sleep apnea.

Because snoring isn’t always a reliable indicator, and many symptoms of sleep apnea overlap with those of other conditions, it’s helpful to look at the bigger picture. Certain risk factors can make sleep apnea more likely. These include:

• Excess weight or obesity
• Being male
• Being older in age
• Having a larger neck size
• A naturally narrow airway or blockage in the airway
• Family history of sleep apnea or snoring
• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol or using sedatives/tranquilizers
• Ongoing nasal congestion or blockage
• Health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or asthma

Why You Should Never Ignore Sleep Apnea

We can’t overstate the importance of getting good, restorative sleep night after night. When sleep apnea goes untreated, your body is repeatedly deprived of oxygen as your airway becomes blocked. This isn’t just about feeling tired during the day. Your overall health is at stake.

Obstructive sleep apnea is linked to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, memory issues, and even a higher risk of early mortality. Over time, the constant strain of poor sleep and oxygen deprivation can take a major toll on your body and your quality of life.

Fortunately, various treatments are available that can lessen the impact of sleep apnea on your life. With the right approach, you can enjoy restful sleep, reclaim your energy, and protect your overall health.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

A common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is CPAP therapy, which stands for continuous positive airway pressure. This device uses a small bedside machine connected to a mask worn over the nose (or over the nose and mouth). The mask delivers a steady, yet gentle stream of air while you sleep. It keeps the airway open and prevents breathing pauses.

Doctors often recommend CPAP for patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea, or for those whose symptoms pose serious health risks. When used consistently, it can be highly effective at improving sleep quality and reducing related health complications.

However, many individuals can’t tolerate CPAP or simply don’t need something so intensive for their level of sleep apnea. Effective treatment for these patients may include the use of an oral appliance.

At Aesthetic Dental, we offer various dental devices to help treat sleep apnea:

• Snore guards: A snore guard resembles a mouthguard or night guard. It fits over your teeth and slightly repositions your lower jaw forward. By moving the jaw just enough to help keep your airway open, a snore guard prevents your throat from vibrating, which can cause snoring.
• Tongue retaining devices (TRDs): These devices use suction to hold the tongue forward. This prevents the tongue from collapsing backward during sleep and blocking the airway.
• Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs): These are the most frequently used oral appliances for obstructive sleep apnea. MADs work by moving the lower jaw forward, which also repositions the tongue and soft tissues, helping keep the airway open. They are custom-fitted, usually come in one or two pieces, and are often more effective for mild to moderate OSA.

Sometimes, small changes, like wearing an oral appliance to sleep, can lead to healthier rest and a better quality of life overall.

Take the Next Step Toward Better Sleep

Sleep apnea doesn’t just keep you from feeling rested. It can affect your health, mood, and quality of life in ways you may not even realize. Fortunately, treatment can be simple, effective, and customized to your needs. At Aesthetic Dental in Southfield, we’re here to help you breathe easier and sleep better with custom oral appliance therapy. Schedule a free consultation today and take the next step toward healthier, more restful nights.

Frequently Asked Questions