Snoring & Sleep Apnea
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea affects millions of people worldwide and can have a serious impact on your quality of life. Most often, being overweight, obese or having other respiratory issues can increase your chances of developing sleep apnea. The condition is caused by the soft tissues at the very back of the throat relaxing and covering the airway. This results in loud snoring and cessations in your breathing throughout the night, which causes you to continually wake up to catch your breath. We offer a simple oral device appliance that opens the airway, eliminating sleep apnea symptoms.
During these episodes, the airway becomes partially or completely blocked, often because the soft tissues in the mouth, tongue, or throat relax and collapse, restricting airflow. As a result, the body temporarily struggles to get enough oxygen.
These repeated breathing disruptions can lead to a range of health complications, including an increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, and even death if left untreated.
Why might Sleep Apnea Treatment be needed?
Sleep apnea is a medical condition that can seriously impact your way of life. Because you’re not sleeping properly, you’ll find that you are too exhausted to do anything throughout the day. You may even find yourself falling asleep on the job or when trying to spend time with your loved ones. The loud snoring at night can even be disruptive to your loved ones, causing them to stay awake as well.
What happens during the sleep apnea treatment?
We will take impressions of your mouth and teeth. These molds are then used to make the appliance that you’ll wear. You will come into the office to have the appliance fitted and adjusted as needed. You should wear the device each night in order for it to work effectively at treating your sleep apnea. We can then replace the device as it begins to wear or become damaged. Sleep apnea patients find that these oral devices are incredibly comfortable and highly effective at treating the condition. If you want to learn more about sleep apnea treatment, call us today so that our helpful staff members can answer all of your questions.
Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include: Waking up repeatedly in the middle of the night
- Breathing pauses while asleep (a sleeping partner may notice this)
- Unusual breathing patterns (fast breathing that gets deeper, then shallower again until breathing stops before starting again)
- Snoring
- Waking up feeling short of breath or like you’re choking
- Daytime fatigue, sleepiness or exhaustion when waking up
- Other symptoms you might experience may include:
- Headaches, especially when waking up
- Night sweats
- Mood changes (depression and anxiety)
- Feeling restless at night
- Sexual dysfunction
Who Is At Risk For Sleep Apnea?
Risk factors include:
Family member with obstructive sleep apnea
Large or thick neck. This means greater than 16 inches for women and 17 inches for men.
Long-term (chronic) nasal congestion
Thyroid disorder or other endocrine condition
Postmenopause
Being overweight
Defect of the tissues that support the head and neck
Down syndrome
Smoking
Swollen or large adenoids and tonsils (in children)
Patients with more mild sleep apnea symptoms can often benefit from the oral device that we make for them in the office.
FAQ – How Can We Help For You?
Can a dentist in Schnecksville, PA really treat sleep apnea?
Yes. Dentists trained in dental sleep medicine can provide oral appliance therapy (OAT), a highly effective, non-invasive alternative to CPAP for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. At Extraordinary Smiles, we offer custom-fitted oral appliances that gently reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep, reducing or eliminating apnea episodes and snoring.
How is a dental oral appliance for sleep apnea different from a CPAP machine?
A CPAP machine delivers pressurized air through a mask worn over the nose and mouth to keep the airway open. Many patients find CPAP bulky, noisy, or uncomfortable, leading to low compliance. A dental oral appliance is a small, custom-fit device worn only in the mouth, similar to a mouthguard. It requires no electricity, tubing, or mask, making it significantly more comfortable and easier to travel with.
Do I need a sleep study before receiving an oral appliance for sleep apnea at Extraordinary Smiles?
Yes. A proper diagnosis of sleep apnea must be made by a licensed medical professional typically through a sleep study (polysomnography or a home sleep test). We offer a Sleep Health Evaluation to assess your symptoms and, when appropriate, coordinate with your physician for a formal diagnosis before fitting you with an oral appliance. We work collaboratively with your healthcare team.
What are the signs that I might have sleep apnea and should visit Extraordinary Smiles?
Common signs of obstructive sleep apnea include loud snoring, waking up feeling unrefreshed despite a full night of sleep, morning headaches, daytime drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, and being told you stop breathing during sleep. If you or your partner have noticed any of these signs, schedule a Sleep Health Evaluation at our Schnecksville office untreated sleep apnea carries significant health risks, including elevated blood pressure and heart disease.
Does dental insurance or medical insurance cover oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea?
Oral appliance therapy is often covered by medical insurance (not just dental insurance) when sleep apnea has been formally diagnosed, and CPAP has been prescribed or is contraindicated. Our team will work with both your dental and medical insurance providers to determine your coverage. We will also provide any necessary documentation to support your insurance claim for maximum reimbursement.
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