Sleep Apnea
How you sleep affects all areas of your health, so an issue that prevents you from sleeping well can be harmful to your overall body health. Sleep apnea, a condition in which during sleep your muscles relax and cause soft tissue to collapse and block your airway, is one of the most common sleeping problems. The constant cessation of breathing lowers your levels of oxygen and can startle you awake at random periods throughout the night.
Commons indications of sleep apnea include snoring, choking sounds, and gasping during sleep. Factors such as a narrow airway, excess body weight, or a misaligned jaw can increase the risk of the condition and although it is more common in men, it can occur in women.
There are a few different types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and complex. Obstructive is the most common and occurs when your throat muscles relax. Central sleep apnea happens when your brain neglects to send proper signals to the muscles that are responsible for breathing. Complex sleep apnea occurs when an individual has a combination of both obstructive and central.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea by a professional, there is a way that we came help restore a more natural healthy balance to your sleep schedule. We may implement Invisalign or a palatal expander to assist in re-aligning your airway and smile. This may assist in treating sleep apnea.
If we believe you might have a condition like sleep apnea, we will discuss this with you while you are in our office. In the event that you have any questions about what we offer and how it may help, feel free to reach out to us!
Dr. Lawlor belongs to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists and has been specifically trained in cosmetic dentistry. The American Dental Association does not issue special certifications or licenses indicating which dentists are cosmetic dentists and which are not. The dentist you go to for twice-yearly check-ups is probably not going to be the same dentist you go to for cosmetic enhancement. Unless you’re in the qualified hands of Dr. Lawlor!
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