Sleep Apnea Treatment Athens
A Way to Breathe & Sleep Easy
Things like snoring or daytime fatigue are harmless when they only occur every once in a while. However, the matter changes when these points stem from sleep apnea. Leaving it untreated can gravely harm your long-term health. You’d be wise to contact Dr. Hill Lindsey and our dental team if you think you have it. From there, you can receive our sleep apnea treatment in Athens. You'll find more details by reading below, calling our office, or visiting our sleep site
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Why Choose Athens Dental Associates for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
- Experienced Sleep Dentist & Dental Team
- Customized Oral Appliance Therapy
- Dental Office Serving Athens for 45+ Years
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea’s symptoms can vary a lot over time. Furthermore, some of them are easier to spot than others. The most common ones are:
- Daytime Sleepiness
- Chronic Loud Snoring
- Mood Changes & Irritability
- Insomnia
- Morning Headaches
- Rapid Weight Gain
- Unusual Breathing Patterns
Of course, you shouldn’t decide whether you have sleep apnea on your own. It’s best to consult your local sleep specialist. They can accurately assess you for the condition.
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
It may not seem like a big deal, but untreated sleep apnea is very dangerous. Studies show that it raises your risk of type 2 diabetes due to insulin resistance. It’s also likely to give you high blood pressure, which can cause heart attacks, strokes, metabolic syndrome, and more. So, sleep apnea may indirectly threaten your life if you aren’t careful. You should thus have it diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
At-Home Sleep Testing
At-home sleep testing is a certified way to diagnose sleep apnea. It has you pick up special equipment from our office or a sleep clinic. Then, you carefully follow the instructions for the given device. You’ll end up sleeping as you normally would while it collects data that can then be assessed to give you a diagnosis.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
There are several treatment options for sleep apnea. Which one is best for you will depend on the severity of your case.
One is a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. This device works by generating a constant stream of pressurized air. Once the stream travels through tubing into a mask, it keeps your airway open while you sleep at night. That said, CPAP machines have their drawbacks. They can be rather unpleasant and cause nasal congestion, dry mouth, and nosebleeds.
At our office, we offer what's known as oral appliance therapy. This treatment uses a custom dental appliance to keep the tongue from blocking the throat. It can also advance the lower jaw forward to ensure your airway stays open as you sleep. We to have several brands of oral devices available. These include ProSomnus and Panthera appliances.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Can My Dentist Diagnose Sleep Apnea?
Sleep dentists can only screen for oral cancer symptoms and let you know whether you may need a sleep test. Our team does offer equipment for an at-home sleep test. To have sleep apnea diagnosed, you will need to see a sleep doctor. A proper diagnosis is necessary for determining the best type of treatment for your specific disorder. Once you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you can speak with your sleep dentist about getting an oral appliance.
How Soon After Starting Sleep Apnea Treatment Will I Notice Improvement?
When you first get an oral appliance, it might take you a night or two to get used to it. Once you do, you should be mindful of your symptoms. If it seems like they’re less severe than they used to be, or if they’ve stopped altogether, that’s generally a good sign that the treatment is working.
That said, it’s often difficult to tell how much of an impact oral appliance therapy is having through observation alone. The best way to confirm whether it’s having the desired effect is to undergo additional sleep testing.
Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosis and Treatment Covered By Insurance?
In many cases, the answer is yes, but different insurance providers have their unique policies, so the kind of coverage that’s available depends on what plan you have. You should double-check with your insurance company to see what benefits they offer for treatments related to sleep apnea.
Remember that even if you’re receiving a sleep apnea appliance from a dentist, it will most likely fall under your medical insurance rather than your dental insurance. This is because sleep apnea is classified as a medical issue, not a dental one. If there’s any confusion about your coverage, please speak to our team.
How Should I Clean My Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance?
You’ll be wearing your oral appliance every night, so it needs to be cleaned regularly in order to prevent the buildup of bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease. One of the first things you should do every morning is carefully brush your oral appliance before rinsing it off thoroughly. It may also be a good idea to occasionally soak it in a denture cleanser. Once you’re done cleaning it, make sure you store it properly; keep it in its storage case instead of simply leaving it on your bathroom counter. Let us know if you would like additional tips for taking proper care of your appliance.