Sleep Apnea Treatment in Waco
Is your snoring creating a household problem? Are you tired of waking up feeling agitated and unrefreshed? If you answered yes, Waco, TX, sleep apnea dentist, Dr. Steven Cutbirth, DDS, has an effective solution for you.
Snoring is often a warning sign for a more serious disorder called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Snoring and sleep apnea are similar because both involve a blocked or narrowed airway. When breathing stops regularly for 10 seconds or longer due to a closed airway, you are suffering from sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea dentistry, also known as dental sleep medicine, focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a common condition characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, leading to disrupted sleep patterns and potential health risks.
Dental sleep medicine offers alternative treatment options to traditional continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, providing relief and improved sleep quality for patients.
Sleep Tests
Before we administer sleep apnea treatment, we want to be sure to give you an accurate diagnosis. A sleep test is crucial for diagnosing snoring and sleep apnea. This test can be completed at home, in a sleep center, or in a sleep lab.
After you do your test, Dr. Cutbirth will look over the results and determine if you have sleep apnea. If you don’t have sleep apnea, we can still help. Often, snoring can also be treated with dental solutions.
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
If your snoring indicates obstructive sleep apnea, it’s time to seek sleep apnea treatment right away. When your air supply is cut off so frequently, you are not receiving the oxygen or rest that you need. As a result, you are groggy and tired, and you may be suffering from a decreased memory capacity.
Long-term, sleep apnea puts you at risk for health complications like:
- Hypertension
- Heart attack
- Depression
- Stroke
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Memory loss
- Weight gain
- Gastric reflux
- Intellectual deterioration
- Insomnia
- Impotence
Sleep apnea is a serious health issue not to be taken lightly.
Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances
After your sleep test, we will know all of the details about your sleep apnea or snoring. We can treat you effectively with comfortable CPAP alternatives.
“As a college student, I had to wear a CPAP machine to treat my sleep apnea. Worst experience of my life, the Sleep Apnea appliance from Dr. Cutbirth dramatically changed my life for the better. Highly recommended to anyone suffering from sleep apnea.”
For years, the standard sleep apnea treatment was a CPAP machine. Today, we provide a treatment that is not dependent upon electricity and is more convenient. Waco, TX, sleep apnea dentist, Dr. Cutbirth will prescribe a custom-made oral appliance that is worn each night.
We design sleep apnea appliances with smooth and durable plastic. The appliance gently holds your lower jaw forward, and it prevents the tongue or other soft tissues from obstructing your airway while you sleep.
Patients love the results they see with sleep apnea appliances, and they appreciate that this treatment is:
- Portable
- Quiet
- Easy to clean
- Relatively comfortable
- Effective
We want to safeguard you from the health threats of sleep apnea. If snoring is a problem for you, don’t hesitate to give our Waco sleep apnea office a call today!
How Do I Get a Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance?
Getting an oral appliance to help with your sleep apnea is a fairly simple process. The process begins with a thorough evaluation. Dr. Cutbirth will assess your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical examination.
In some cases, a sleep study may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the condition. Once diagnosed, Dr. Cutbirth will take impressions and create a custom-fitted oral appliance tailored to the patient’s specific needs. You’ll be back to sleeping well in no time.
What Types of Oral Appliances Are Available?
The most common types of oral appliances are called mandibular advancement devices (MADs). These custom-made devices are designed to be worn during sleep and work by repositioning the jaw to maintain an open airway. MADs are particularly effective for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea or those who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy.
Sleep Apnea FAQ
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where the airway becomes blocked (often by the tongue) while you are sleeping, causing the body to wake up and preventing you from getting into the deeper sleep cycles that are necessary for good rest.
Do Dental Appliances Work for Sleep Apnea Therapy?
For more severe cases of sleep apnea, you may need to have a CPAP; but for most cases a sleep apnea oral appliance can help to alleviate the blocking of your airway, by pulling your jaw forward and giving you a better night’s sleep.
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
There are many different signs that you have sleep apnea; some of the most common are loud snoring, waking up tired after a full night of sleep, general fatigue throughout the day, waking up with dry mouth, and morning headaches.
Get Sleep Apnea Treatment In Waco, TX, Today!
If you have had it with the struggles of snoring or sleep apnea, you have come to the right place. Dr. Steven Cutbirth, DDS, and his expert sleep therapy team have been treating sleeping disorders in Waco, TX, for many years with great success. Contact us today to learn how you can get started on your journey to better sleep!