Sleep Disorder Dentistry

Sleep Disorder Dentistry

Are you suffering from some sleep disorders and looking for a sleep apnea dentist? Schedule an appointment with us; you are at the right place. We are experts on treatments for sleep apnea and snoring. Our dentists are trained to help manage and treat your snoring and sleep apnea.  Dental sleep medicine, a branch of dentistry, focuses on the use of oral appliance therapy to treat various sleep-related disorders, including sleep-disordered breathing, snoring, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?

Sleep apnea is a condition that occurs during sleep, in which your breathing stops periodically, as many as 20-30 times per hour. When you stop breathing, it will result in a lack of oxygen, and when the brain gets alerted, you temporarily wakes up from sleep to restart proper breathing. Most people don't even remember that they woke up as the time spent awake is so brief. The repeated wake-sleep cycle prevents those with sleep apnea from having a sound sleep, making them tired all during the day.

There are two types of sleep apnea - Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea.

  • Obstructive sleep apnea

The blockage of the airway by the collapse of the throat tissues prevents the easy flow of air in and out of the lungs, resulting in frequent pauses in breathing. 

  • Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea is a result of the malfunction of the brain while signaling the lungs to inhale air on time. Hence, the body wouldn't receive the required amount of oxygen.

Symptoms of sleep apnea

  • Frequent headaches in the morning.
  • Extreme tiredness and drowsiness all through the day.
  • Lack of concentration.
  • Memory loss.
  • Irritability and moodiness
  • Frequent pauses in the breathing pattern.
  • Lack of deep sleep.
  • Clenching the jaw during sleep
  • TMJ disorder.

Diagnosis

A sleep specialist in a sleep center can diagnose sleep apnea based on data collected through special portable equipment while you sleep. This device monitors the airflow, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep, giving information about your sleep quality. This information will help the dentist decide the appropriate treatment for you!

Treatments for sleep apnea

Our doctor will develop a personalized treatment plan for patients with sleep apnea to help achieve quality sleep. We offer the following treatments to treat sleep apnea. The treatments include:

●   Lifestyle modifications:  Losing weight, limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, not sleeping on your back, etc., can help manage sleep apnea. 

●   Continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP): CPAP is a device that ensures a continuous supply of oxygen to the lungs through a pressurized oxygen cylinder and a face mask.

●  Mandibular advancement device (MAD): MAD is a dental device that requires the patient to wear before sleeping. This device brings the lower jaw forward, enabling the easy movement of air while breathing.

As we know, your sleep quality dramatically impacts your health, well-being, and overall quality of life. Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea interrupt your sleep and raise your risk of severe health problems. Remember that snoring is a warning sign that we should never ignore. If you think you are suffering from sleep apnea, call us and schedule an appointment with us to discuss your treatment options.

Location

2834 S University Dr, Fargo, ND 58103

Office Hours

MON - THU 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

FRI - SUN Closed

Get in Touch

Email: info@saunderskrogdental.com

Phone: (701) 293-9886