Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. These decreases in oxygen circulating throughout the body may lead to increased risks for stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, dementia, Alzheimer’s, depression, anxiety, aggressive behavior, fibromyalgia, and premature death.

Children who have ADD/ADHD, bed-wetting, restless sleep, nightmares, short attention span, or difficulty focusing in school or in math class, may also have sleep apnea.

Sign of Possible Sleep Apnea

• Snoring
• Feel tired even after a full night’s sleep,
• Can’t function well without coffee or tea
• Cough breathing
• Crowded/crooked teeth
• Double chin
• Small lower jaw
• Under-bite or cross-bite
• Disproportioned mid-third face or lower third face
• Dark circles under eyes
• Teeth grinding at night
• Tongue-tie
• Tongue thrusting/dysfunctional swallow
• Swollen tonsils/adenoids
• Chronic allergies
• Other SRBD

Why Dentists Screen for Sleep Apnea

Dentists can screen for sleep apnea when they perform an oral exam. They examine the physiological structures of their patients' airways.

If our office suspects a patient has sleep apnea, we offer an easy at-home sleep test. Home sleep testing reflects your normal sleep most accurately because you are tested in your own bed.

Vivos Treatment

Vivos treatment for sleep apnea represents a groundbreaking approach to addressing the underlying anatomical factors contributing to this debilitating sleep disorder. With up to 98 percent of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) cases linked to abnormal mouth and jaw development, the significance of treating these structural issues cannot be overstated. Vivos has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its oral medical devices, offering a noninvasive solution for mild, moderate, and severe OSA in adults. Unlike traditional interventions requiring nightly use, Vivos treatment boasts an average treatment time of approximately 12 months. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the Vivos Method utilizes custom-designed oral appliances prescribed by trained dentists and medical professionals to address dentofacial abnormalities and improve breathing function. By targeting the root cause of OSA, Vivos treatment offers patients a potentially life-changing solution that enhances sleep quality and overall health.

How Do Sleep Apnea Appliances Work?

Sleep apnea appliances are devices designed to help individuals with sleep apnea breathe more easily during the night. These appliances work by keeping the airway open and preventing it from collapsing, which is a common issue for those with obstructive sleep apnea.

• Mandibular Advancement Devices:One type of sleep apnea appliance is called a mandibular advancement device (MAD). This device works by shifting the lower jaw forward slightly, which helps to keep the airway open while sleeping.
• Tongue-Retaining Devices:Another type of appliance is a tongue-retaining device. This device holds the tongue in place during sleep, preventing it from blocking the airway and causing breathing interruptions.
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machines:CPAP machines are another commonly used treatment for sleep apnea. These machines deliver pressurized air through a mask worn over the nose or mouth, helping to keep the airway open throughout the night.
• Oral Appliances: Some oral appliances can be custom-fitted by dentists to help reposition the jaw and tongue during sleep, reducing instances of blocked airflow.

Overall, these various types of sleep apnea appliances aim to improve breathing patterns during sleep and reduce symptoms associated with this common disorder.

Sleep Apnea Treatments

Our dental team works with the patient and dental labs to create a custom oral appliance to treat sleep apnea. This is a great option for those patients that cannot tolerate a CPAP machine. The oral appliances work to open a patient’s airway by widening the bones around the nasal passage and enlarging the airway; or by repositioning the lower jaw and keeping the tongue from blocking the airway; or both.

If you or your children have one or more of the signs or symptoms, you should check for sleep apnea and we might be able to help.

To schedule a consultation with our dental experts, call any of our offices in Livonia [at (734) 425-7888] or Ann Arbor [at (734) 888-8886] or book an appointment online. We're always happy to help our patients!