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How Sleep Apnea is Linked to Dentistry

sleep-apnea

Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders, and it is caused by irregular breathing patterns during the course of one’s night time sleep cycle. Given that the REM stage is the most crucial for physical and mental recovery and that the frequent episodes (some patients experience multiple each night) of sleep apnea interrupt the process; most people suffer from extreme fatigue during their waking hours.

It is worth pointing out that this condition can also be potentially life-threatening, as it restricts precious airflow. Since sleep apnea only occurs at night, a majority of individuals are never aware they even have it. Oftentimes a spouse will be the one to notice the symptoms, but you may want to see your doctor if you are feeling more tired than usual. A simple sleep test will reveal whether you have the disorder, and your doctor will take the appropriate measures to counteract its effects.

How Sleep Apnea and the Dental Field are Connected

Despite being a medical condition caused by a malfunctioning throat tissue, the treatment methods for sleep apnea entail the use of dental devices. Two options are available to treat the disorder, and those are oral appliances (OAs) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Patients who are suffering from mild to moderate sleep apnea are generally prescribed OAs, especially if the individual’s condition does not improve with the use of CPAP.

Though simple in design, an OA (a device resembling an oral retainer or mouth guard) can work wonders for people who are diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Why? The custom fit mold works to keep the patient’s tongue and soft tissues responsible for restricting air flow from collapsing during the night. This means there are no interruptions in your sleep cycle and that you are getting adequate amounts of oxygen.

All About OAs

While you can purchase over the counter oral appliances, these are typically not recommended as they are manufactured in only one size; the mold may be loose and not properly prevent the tissues from closing. If you have sleep apnea, the best option is to get a custom-fit device directly from your dentist.

It may cost more up front, but you will know that it is working. Due to the many variables at work, the evaluation process can take some time. It may take a few weeks or months before you can get the appliance, in which case your dentist will prescribe other treatment methods for your sleep apnea.

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Nicole Z

She had always wanted a new smile for graduation. Nicole had worked her whole school life to become a lawyer and she wanted a smile to match her academic accomplishment. She had some size discrepancies and positioning of her teeth. So, after sending in a Smile Virtual consult and looking at her personal video she knew what she wanted to do. We decided to have 10 conservative veneers done to widen her smile and correct the tooth size she was concerned about. Her graduation pictures were beautiful.

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Nicole J

Nicole had braces when she was younger and also had some gum surgery that left some scarring. She sent me a Smile Virtual consult request to see if there was anything possible to correct her smile. I was able to describe what was possible in her personal video. She never thought that what I described was possible. She decided to move ahead after her consultation. We were able to correct the past orthodontic care and gum treatment with a gum lift and 10 veneers. She had a beautiful result for her wedding pictures

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Jenn

She had seen all the other patients we worked with on Instagram. She really liked what she saw, and wanted to know more. She clicked the link in my Bio, submitted a selfie smile, and I sent her a personal video through Smile Virtual. I went through the veneer process and examples of other smiles, and how much things would cost. She liked what she saw and asked to schedule an appointment. We delivered 10 veneers other top teeth and 8 veneers on the bottom.

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Maria

Maria had treatment in another country. This treatment created discolouring, uneven surfaces, and shapes. She wanted her smile whiter and even. Because there was a language barrier, the Smile Virtual Consult created a perfect opportunity to show her what was possible. After looking at her personal video, she decided to have 10 conservative veneers. She finally achieved her perfect smile.

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Nicole P

She had a nice wide smile, but her teeth always looked small. She had tried whitening, but that didn’t achieve the look she wanted. After going through the details of her smile on the Smile Virtual consult, she saw how her gums were creating asymmetries. She decided that she wanted to have 12 veneers with a gum lift. The gum lift helped to create the perfect frame and size for her beautiful new smile.

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Lexi

She was not happy with the shape and position of her teeth. A side tooth was missing, and her bite caused functional issues. With a Smile Virtual consult she was able to hear that I had a deep knowledge base about bite issues and she could see that we could correct old dental work. 9 porcelain veneers and an implant crown were done to transform her smile.
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