Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a serious condition.  It has been linked to excessive tiredness, depression and resistance to infection.  When left untreated OSA can increase the risk of heart attack, hypertension, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, catching colds, and even deaths.

It can have a significant impact on quality of life, placing unnecessary strain on relationships between bed partners, family, and the work place.

What causes obstructive sleep apnea?

During sleep upper airway muscles relax, including those that control the tongue and throat.  The soft tissue (or flesh) at the back of your throat can sag, narrowing the airway.  Incoming air then makes the tissue at the rear roof of the mouth (the soft palate), the flap of the skin hanging from the palate (uvula) and the throat vibrate- a sound we know as snoring.

Snoring may be a sign of a more serious problem-OSA.  This is where the airway becomes completely blocked and breathing stops.  The brain then detects the lack of oxygen and promotes a momentary arousal to draw breath.

Although OSA sufferers may experience hundreds of apnea episodes per night, they are unlikely to remember any of them.  In fact, if the sufferer, lives alone or sleeps separately, they may not be aware of their condition, even after many years.

Do you suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

If you answered “yes” to ANY of these questions, ask us about being evaluated further for risk of sleep disordered breathing.

How Central Park Dentistry can help you with your sleep disorder.

Central Park Dentistry offers a wide range of oral appliance to help manager your sleep apnea.  Both Dr. Lala and Dr. Hansen are extensively trained in dental management of sleep apnea and members of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.  According to the AA of DSM Oral appliances (OA) are a front-line treatment for patients with mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) oral appliances are used for patients who prefer OAs to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), or who do not respond to CPAP, are not appropriate candidates for CPAP, or who fail treatment attempts with CPAP or treatment with behavioral measures such as weight loss or sleep position change. This small plastic device fits in the mouth during sleep like a sports mouth guard or orthodontic retainer. Oral appliances help prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat, keeping the airway open during sleep and promoting adequate air intake. Oral appliances may be used alone or in combination with other treatments for sleep-related breathing disorders, such as weight management, surgery or CPAP.