Breathe Easy with Sleep Apnea Treatment from Vista
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you may be getting 8 hours of sleep but chances are you aren’t getting rest. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious disorder where breathing stops and starts during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type which occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the airway. While this in itself is concerning, sleep apnea can lead to the development of other complications. It disrupts sleep cycles, preventing restorative sleep and contributes to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. People suffering from sleep apnea may find themselves exhausted during the day, struggling with concentration, and are at higher risk for accidents, heart attack, or stroke.
When it comes to solutions, dentistry can offer effective treatment! Our Vista dentists are equipped to create a custom oral device for those suffering with airway issues. Our sleep solutions are a conservative way to achieve restful sleep so you can live an energized and healthy life.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
As the name implies, sleep apnea occurs when you sleep. However, it presents with a variety of symptoms most of which you’ll experience upon waking. The common signs of sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring
- Gasping for air while asleep
- Waking up abruptly with shortness of breath
- Dry mouth upon waking
- Morning headaches
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, it’s important to take action. The longer sleep apnea remains untreated the more damage can accumulate. Contact Vista and work with an expert to develop a sleep apnea treatment plan that’s right for you.
Sleep Apnea Solutions
Oral Appliance Therapy: Non-Invasive and Conservative Treatment
Vista provides oral appliance therapy; a less-invasive alternative to CPAP and other surgical therapies. Oral appliance therapy is an effective solution for snoring, sleep apnea, and an alternative for people who simply can’t tolerate the CPAP. The oral appliance is a custom, removable mouthpiece that stabilizes your tongue and supports your jaw. It prevents the airway from collapsing and improves airflow. Many patients prefer oral appliance therapy because it doesn’t require the involved intervention that accompanies CPAP and other surgical therapies.
Snore Therapy (Laser Therapy)
Snoring happens when the muscles of the throat relax to the point that it obstructs the airway. At Vista, we can offer gentle laser therapy to stimulate collagen production and tighten and strengthen the soft palate. The walk-in, walk-out procedure is simple, performed in three, 30-minute sessions over the course of 6-8 weeks, and results can last up to a year. This procedure can reduce snoring by up to 50% and many patients see results from day one. There’s no anesthesia, no appliances for sleep and the procedure can be repeated as necessary. Schedule a consultation to see if this therapy is right for you.
Jaw Muscle and Joint Therapy
TMJ is short for the temporomandibular joint. When issues occur with this joint, it can cause a range of disorders known as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMD for short.
The symptoms of TMD:
- Muscular/facial pain
- Locking of the jaw
- Clicking or popping of the jaw
- Referred ear pain, fullness or ringing
- Headaches
- Neck pain
TMJ treatment usually involves a conservative therapy plan combined with the use of oral orthotics or “splints.”
In addition to using splints, other therapies for jaw pain treatment may include:
- Myofunctional therapy
- Therapeutic injections
- Regenerative medicine
- Moist heat application
- Massage therapy
Myofunctional Therapy
Do you struggle with snoring, chewing, jaw pain or tension? If so, you may be a candidate for myofunctional therapy. Myofunctional therapy is a type of physical therapy that targets the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue to improve function and treat Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs). Myofunctional therapy can address a wide variety of issues including:
- Snoring and difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty chewing or speaking
- TMJ pain (Jaw joint and muscle pain)
- Headaches and tension
Myofunctional therapy is individualized for each patient to meet customized goals and improve overall health. These re-education exercises help patients learn proper facial functions to resolve issues sleeping, chewing, speaking, breathing, and more. This non-invasive treatment is a great option for patients looking for a gentle, long term solution for sleep and overall health.
Functional Frenuloplasty
Sometimes bands of tissue that keep the tongue tethered to the floor of the mouth are too tight and restrict normal movement and function of the tongue. Also called a tongue-tie, these restrictions can cause issues with sleep, swallowing, breathing, jaw and palate development and more. A functional frenuloplasty is an approach to addressing this issue that combines traditional tongue tie release with myofunctional therapy for lasting results.
A frenuloplasty is the release of the tissue bands that restrict movement. Your dental specialist is careful to release the tissues at just the right level for optimal functioning. Myofunctional therapy is undertaken before and after surgery to relearn proper use of the facial muscles so you can enjoy years of good oral and overall health with more restful sleep.
Our office can consult with you to see if you’re a good candidate for functional frenuloplasty. Schedule a consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Oral Appliance for Sleep?
An oral appliance is a custom-fit device worn only while you sleep. It keeps your airway open and unobstructed by supporting your jaw and muscles in a forward position to keep the upper airway from collapsing and blocking the airway.
Are Oral Appliances Comfortable to Wear?
Many patients consider an oral appliance to be more comfortable to wear than a CPAP mask. Oral appliances are custom-made to fit your mouth and made of lightweight material. To enhance the effectiveness of your oral appliance, we’ll book follow-up visits with you to ensure the optimal fit of your oral appliance. This lets us adjust the oral appliance over time to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness.
What are the Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy?
Oral appliance therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment that fits easily into your lifestyle. Oral appliances are comfortable, quiet, portable, and convenient for travel. Additionally, oral appliances do not restrict movements while sleeping, can be used for patients that are CPAP intolerant, and do not require electricity.
How Do I Obtain an Oral Appliance?
Your physician will send our office a prescription for an oral appliance, sleep studies, and any clinical notes they have regarding your treatment. We will then schedule a consultation with our office and dental sleep medicine provider.
Meet Your Sleep Solutions Doctor
