Sleep Apnea Treatment – Garland, TX
Improve Your Quality of Life Through Better Sleep
When you wake up feeling refreshed, you can properly take on the day and truly feel like yourself! But when you don’t get the sleep you need, it can leave you feeling tired and just plain defeated, whether you’re working or spending time with family. If getting to bed early, cutting caffeinated beverages during the day, and buying new pillows doesn’t seem to help, you may need sleep apnea treatment in Garland. Dentistry by Brand is more than prepared to help you get the personalized care you need, so don’t hesitate to call to schedule an appointment!
Why Choose Dentistry by Brand for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
- Team Has Been Serving Area for Over 30 Years
- Custom-Made Oral Appliances Built to Last
- Multiple Financing Solutions to Fit Your Budget
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder where a person stops breathing as they are sleeping, usually for about 10 seconds at a time. These events are known as “apneas” and can occur dozens and even hundreds of times a night, making it impossible to stay asleep and achieve the levels of rest needed to feel refreshed upon awaking. While there are two different common types of sleep apnea (including obstructive sleep apnea or OSA and central sleep apnea or CSA) obstructive sleep apnea is the more common of the two. OSA occurs when the airway becomes narrowed or blocked, preventing oxygen from properly traveling to the lungs and the rest of the body.
What Signs Should You Look Out For?
Unfortunately, many people with sleep apnea go undiagnosed. In fact, about 80% of people who have the condition either never get diagnosed or they end up being misdiagnosed. This is often because the symptoms are not always easy for the patient to recognize. However, the most common indicators include the following:
- Loud snoring
- Waking up suddenly, usually gasping for air
- Chronic morning headaches or migraines
- Sore throat or dry mouth upon waking
- Feeling tired, exhausted, or fatigued throughout the day
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory loss
- Sudden mood swings or irritability
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Sexual dysfunction
Keep in mind that just because you snore loudly does not automatically mean you have sleep apnea. However, what it does mean is that further examination is needed to confirm that sleep apnea is not present.
What Does Sleep Apnea Treatment Entail?
It’s common for patients suffering from sleep apnea to be prescribed a continuous positive airway pressure machine (or CPAP) to address these symptoms. While they can be effective, many patients end up discontinuing their use due to compliance issues, especially when they feel claustrophobic while wearing the device.
At Dentistry by Brand, we offer custom-made oral appliances as an alternative. These are designed to remove blockages in the mouth and throat, allowing more oxygen to travel to the lungs. Customized to fit comfortably and last for years, our oral appliances reposition the jaw to keep the throat clear. After a few days and weeks of using your appliance, we encourage you to let us know if your symptoms are improving. Many patients notice positive changes to their quality of sleep right away!
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Does snoring always mean someone has sleep apnea?
Frequent snoring is a well-known sign of sleep apnea, but it doesn’t automatically mean a person has the condition. Still, snoring is a red flag because it signals that airflow is being partially blocked during sleep, reducing rest quality while also disturbing bed partners.
Research shows that habitual snorers have a significantly higher risk of developing sleep apnea later compared to non-snorers. That’s why a custom oral appliance can be beneficial both now and in the future. It can help everyone in the household sleep more soundly and may delay (or even prevent) the onset of sleep apnea.
Are oral appliances better than CPAP machines for treating sleep apnea?
It depends on the individual case. Many patients prefer oral appliances over CPAP machines because they are smaller, quieter, and more comfortable. However, for severe sleep apnea, an appliance alone might not be enough. After we provide a custom oral appliance, we recommend a follow-up sleep study to confirm that it’s doing its job effectively.
In some cases, the best approach is combination therapy, using an appliance alongside CPAP, which allows the machine to run at a gentler, more tolerable setting.
How can a dentist help treat sleep apnea?
It surprises many people to learn that our dentists can treat sleep apnea. But since the condition’s physical symptoms occur in the mouth, jaw, and upper airway—the very areas dentists are trained to understand—they are uniquely equipped to help. Using custom-fitted oral appliances, a dentist can reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open and prevent nighttime blockages.
Is sleep apnea life-threatening?
Sleep apnea itself isn’t directly fatal, but it dramatically raises the risk of dangerous health problems. The repeated pauses in breathing can cause spikes in blood pressure for hours at a time, increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke.
It’s also linked to excessive daytime sleepiness, which makes driving risky. Research shows that drowsy driving is even more dangerous than driving under the influence! In fact, untreated sleep apnea has been cited in several serious transportation accidents. That’s why prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential if sleep apnea is suspected.