*Not in-network with Medicaid. Please visit our insurance page to learn more.
Do you find yourself unable to obtain healthy sleep? Does your loud snoring keep your family awake? Many people don’t realize that dentists like Dr. Badawy can help those struggling with undiagnosed sleep apnea. People who have this condition often find it difficult to enter the deepest stages of their sleep cycle, which are crucial to waking up and feeling refreshed. If this sounds like you or a family member, it may be time to contact our dental office and have your customized oral appliance made!
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that prevents individuals from achieving deep sleep. Since deep sleep is necessary to feel properly rested the next day, as well as achieving optimal overall health, sleep apnea has the potential to be quite debilitating when untreated. While there are multiple forms of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common. OSA occurs when a blockage in the throat, whether it’s the tongue, tonsils, soft/hard palate or other oral structure, prevents proper air flow to the lungs.
When a blockage is present, the brain triggers an emergency response to the body that forces you awake. This is good, largely in part because it prevents you from suffocating in your sleep. However, it also prevents you from achieving deep sleep, resulting in a slew of short- and long-term side effects and complications that can affect you later in life. While the short-term side effects include chronic fatigue, irritability, and lower productivity, the long-term effects include a higher risk for heart disease and stroke, higher chances of experiencing a car accident, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.
It’s worth noting that even if you don’t have sleep apnea, those who suffer from excessive snoring can also benefit from an oral appliance from our dental office. In some cases, excessive snoring can even develop into sleep apnea if left untreated. With that said, loud or excessive snoring is not the only symptom associated with the condition and therefore should not be immediately assumed as sleep apnea until further examination. The best way to confirm if sleep apnea is present is to complete a sleep study.
In some cases, the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is not the most ideal. Considering the device’s high rate of user-compliance issues, it is not necessarily for everyone. If you’ve struggled to use the CPAP machine, an oral appliance can truly be a lifesaver. If you currently use a CPAP machine, you can easily incorporate the use of an oral appliance with your current treatment as well. In many cases, patients can use a lower setting on their CPAP machine thanks to the improvements an oral appliance provides.
Part of achieving the most accurate diagnosis possible is working with experts in the field of sleep medicine. Dr. Badawy is proud to work with those who are trained and knowledgeable on the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea. Once you’ve achieved an accurate diagnosis, you’ll come back to our dental office to have an oral appliance specifically catered to your needs. Our dental office also accepts medical insurance intended to cover the cost of sleep appliances.
We’re excited to meet you and to help provide you and your family with a lifetime full of happy, healthy smiles.
Request an Appointment