Grapevine, TX 76051
(817) 481-1041
SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT - GRAPEVINE, TX
STOP SNORING & SLEEP DEEPLY
Millions of Americans get up each morning feeling as if they never slept the night before. What might seem like hours of sleep for one person might only feel like minutes to someone who suffers from sleep apnea. At Smiles by Martin, we not only want to help you get the rest you need and deserve, but we also want to help you understand more about sleep apnea treatment in Grapevine and what we can do about this common sleep disorder. Contact us to schedule a sleep apnea consultation today.
WHY CHOOSE SMILES BY MARTIN FOR SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT?
- Customized Sleep Treatment for Each Patient
- Can Stop Even Severe Snoring
- Viable CPAP Alternative
WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?
Sleep apnea occurs when a person stops breathing for ten seconds or longer during sleep. These periods of breathlessness are detrimental to quality of sleep, elevate blood pressure, and cause several other health concerns. They can stem from the tissue of the mouth and throat blocking the airway (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) or the brain not sending the correct signal to breathe (Central Sleep Apnea). The vast majority of sleep apnea cases fall into the OSA category.
THE DANGERS OF SLEEP APNEA
Individuals who suffer from sleep apnea may not realize they have it for many years. Why? It’s because some of the primary symptoms occur at night. If you don’t have a partner who can tell you when you stop breathing or if you snore, you can go years without realizing you have sleep apnea. However, there are other ways to tell, such as:
- Daytime drowsiness
- Morning headaches
- Loss of libido
- Forgetfulness or loss of memory
- Sore or dry throat
- Rapid weight gain/trouble losing weight
- Irritability
Apart from the daily drowsiness you may feel, sleep apnea can also result in serious health problems:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Hypertension
When your breathing ceases, your brain must be triggered in order to alert your body to its need to breathe. If this happens hundreds of times each night, your blood pressure will rise each time, making you more susceptible to a cardiac event.
SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT OPTIONS
Traditionally, patients suffering from sleep apnea are treated by sleep doctors who provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which keeps the airway open throughout the night by forcing a steady flow of oxygen into the body. But for many patients, CPAP is not a realistic solution because it can be very disruptive and uncomfortable. At Smiles by Martin, we offer oral appliances for sleep apnea therapy in Grapevine as an effective alternative.
ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY
Custom-crafted oral appliances alleviate Obstructive Sleep Apnea by gently shifting the jaw forward while a patient sleeps. This slight adjustment in positioning causes the throat muscles to gently tighten, keeping the airway clear. Oral appliance therapy is a valid treatment option for patients suffering from mild to moderate sleep apnea and those who are chronic snorers.
SLEEP APNEA FAQS
IF I DON’T SNORE, CAN I STILL HAVE SLEEP APNEA?
The easy answer to this is yes, you can most certainly have sleep apnea and not snore. Although one of the primary signs is chronic snoring, those who don’t snore are what some doctors refer to as “silent apneic.” This can signal that there is a complete blockage, and if left untreated, it can pose serious health problems.
HOW LONG DOES A SLEEP STUDY TYPICALLY TAKE?
You can expect the average sleep study to take between 9 and 10 hours. When arriving for your sleep study, the technician will spend a short time discussing the actual procedure. Then, they will attach various monitors and equipment, which can take as long as 45 minutes. The actual amount of time you’ll be required to “sleep” is six hours so a suitable amount of data can be obtained.
CAN SLEEP APNEA BE FATAL?
Sleep apnea itself cannot be fatal, but it drastically increases the risk that someone will experience a heart attack, stroke, or motor vehicle accident, which claim thousands of lives each year. That’s why it’s so important someone receives professional treatment as soon as possible—waiting can lead to some dire consequences!
CAN I USE DENTAL INSURANCE TO PAY FOR SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT?
In short, no. Sleep apnea is considered a medical issue, and as such, only health insurance can be used to help pay for treatment. This is true even if sleep care is being provided by a dentist! We know this can be a little confusing, but we’ll parse all of these details at your consultation so we can help you save as much as possible while getting what you need.
How Long Will I Need to Wear My Aligners Per Day?
You need to wear your aligners for at least 20 hours each day. The easiest way to make this goal a reality is by being intentional. That means only taking them off when it’s absolutely necessary and, when they are off, using that time wisely. For example, you can soak them in a dentist-recommended cleaner while you’re eating your dinner. Or, you can drink your morning coffee with your breakfast instead of separately to cut down on your aligner-free time.
Can You Get Invisalign After Braces?
If you had braces in the past, but your teeth moved out of their properly aligned positions over the years, then we have good news: you may be a candidate for Invisalign. At your consultation, we will review your dental history, assess the complexity of your case, and learn about your smile goals to determine if clear aligner treatment is right for you. If it is, then we will create your custom treatment plan, take impressions of your teeth, and start the teeth-straightening process!
What Should I Do If I Lose My Invisalign Aligners?
First, try retracing your steps, looking in the center console of your car, the waste bin, and other “random” places in the process. If you can’t find them, then call us ASAP. If you are only a day or two away from progressing to the next set of aligners in the series, the solution may be as simple as switching to those.
How Do I Clean My Invisalign?
Keeping your aligners clean is crucial for a few reasons, including the fact that you don’t want stubborn stains to develop, drawing unwanted attention to your smile in the process. The good news is that keeping them in pristine condition doesn’t require any special or expensive dental care products. Simply rinse them with clean, cool water when you take them off and use a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the surface after each meal. You can also use the cleaning crystals that came in your welcome kit; they are designed to give your aligners a deeper clean.
Will I Need to Wear a Retainer After Invisalign Treatment?
Yes. After all, orthodontic relapse is something that upwards of 50% of patients experience in the years following their orthodontic treatment, and we want to prevent that from happening to you. So, make sure that you wear yours as instructed (which is usually every night while you sleep). If yours breaks, gets lost, or no longer fits properly, let our Santa Clarita dental team know so we can have a new one made ASAP.
Can I Drink Coffee with Invisalign?
You can’t drink coffee while wearing your aligners because the tannins will leave behind stubborn stains, and the acid increases your risk of tooth decay dramatically. Don’t worry though – that doesn’t mean you have to give up this caffeinated beverage during your teeth-straightening journey. Just make sure to remove them first, rinse them with clean, cool water, and store them in their designated case.