Sleep apnea is a condition in which you stop breathing multiple times throughout the night. Typically, the pauses in breathing last between ten to twenty seconds each, but they can occur as infrequently as once or twice per hour or as often as several hundred times per night. Most patients don’t realize that their breathing has stopped or that they are choking on excess air until the next morning when they wake up feeling exhausted.
If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, your doctor will likely recommend that you use a CPAP machine while sleeping. This mask fits over your mouth and nose and gently blows air into your airways to keep them from collapsing while you sleep. Another option is a custom-made oral appliance that repositions your lower jaw slightly forward to keep your airway open through the night.
However, if neither of these options seems feasible for you, there are other options available to treat your condition.
Treat Sleep Apnea With Vivos
Vivos is a non-surgical method that addresses sleep apnea by treating the anatomical abnormalities that cause OSA. It is considered a permanent solution to OSA and an alternative to the inconvenient and uncomfortable CPAP device. It works to address the conditions of maxillary hypoplasia (underdevelopment of the upper jaw) and mandibular retrognathia (a lower jaw that is set too far back), the prime culprit behind OSA. Vivos uses a daytime-nighttime appliance (DNA) system to exert gentle pressure on the palate, slowly expanding it to rectify maxillary hypoplasia. It also uses a mandibular repositioning-nighttime appliance (mRNA) that trains the lower jaw to rest in its proper position.
The Treatment Process
Patients who are eligible for the Vivos system will need to wear custom oral appliances for 12-24 months under the guidance of your dentist as an alternative to CPAP. These oral appliances are made after a series of in-depth medical consultations and diagnostic tests like a home sleep study, a CBCT scan, a head and neck examination, etc. Your dentist will adjust your appliances and monitor your progress throughout the treatment.
Benefits of Vivos
The use of the Vivos system to address OSA offers considerable benefits, including:
- The appliances are virtually invisible and comfortable to wear
- The Vivos system is a non-surgical and extremely low-risk treatment
- The patient will get the results within the first few days or weeks of treatment
- Vivos permanently addresses anatomical abnormalities of the jaw, one of the main causes of OSA
At Floss Family Dentistry, we offer high-quality dental services using advanced technology. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with us, call us at (801) 610-7200 or visit our dental office at 2183 West Main Street, Suite 301A, Lehi, UT 84043.
Of course, the first and most obvious symptom of sleep apnea is snoring. However, some snorers do not have sleep apnea, while others have sleep apnea but don’t have snores. Remember, snoring does not always mean sleep apnea. If you or your partner snores heavily, that’s an indication that you should visit your sleep specialist for a sleep apnea screening and possibly get treatment.
Some of the other common symptoms of sleep apnea include exhaustion during the day, waking up with headaches, dry mouth, sore throat, trouble concentrating or remembering things, feeling depressed and anxious, restless sleep, insomnia, frequent trips to the bathroom at night, and night sweats. If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or your partner, you might want to schedule a visit with your sleep specialist and dentist to rule out sleep apnea and get properly treated as soon as possible.
The tongue collapses during sleep due to weak muscles in the throat – this is what causes snoring. Snoring is a major sign of sleep apnea, but not everyone who snores has the condition. A thorough examination, including a review of your sleep habits and the severity of your symptoms, can help determine if you have sleep apnea or another underlying condition. If you do have sleep apnea, then there are several potential treatment options from your dentist that will help improve your quality of life.
NO. So, it is essential to make sure that the dentist you choose, like the dentist in Lehi, UT, at Floss Family Dentistry, has the experience and knowledge in treating sleep apnea.
Many times, people with severe apnea snore loudly and wake up with a feeling that they do not get enough sleep. However, there are more severe symptoms that indicate a diagnosis of the disorder. These include:
- Feeling tired or irritable during the day despite getting a full night’s rest
- Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth at night
- Waking up gasping for air
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Headaches in the morning or throughout the day
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking up
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Mood changes, such as depression or irritability
- Irritability
- High blood pressure
- Increased risk for heart attack and stroke from the strain put on the cardiovascular system while asleep
WANT TO GET SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT NEAR YOU?
Our dentists at Floss Family Dentistry are experts in treating sleep apnea in Lehi, UT. We are proud to offer the Vivos system in our practice!
Comfort is a top priority at our dental office in Lehi, Utah. We understand going to the dentist is not the most pleasant experience for some people. That’s why we focus on providing a gentle care that is personalized to your comfort level. We want our patients to feel confident and cared for. We also want you to visit us feeling relaxed and get the best quality care you deserve. Our whole team is dedicated to giving you a top-quality dental experience and building long-term relationships so we can proactively prevent future oral problems.
If you have any further questions, please get in touch with our dental office in Lehi, UT, or schedule a visit with our dentist today!
Stephanie W.
Mar 2022
Have you ever left a dentist smiling and shocked at the price/treatment…. But in a good way? I hadn’t til today 🙌🏼. I’d never met a dentist that didn’t see dollar signs when I opened my mouth. We moved here a year ago from (a state that shall not be named)— and needed to find a family dentist. Very happy with the appointments/treatment for everyone in the family. I’d give more stars if I could. It’s hard to find fair, not overzealous dentists…. But I think I finally have. Glad we gave Floss a try.
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