Treating Sleep Apnea With Three Different Options

November 28, 2012

Sleep apnea is a common issue with men and women, ranging in age from children to adults. If not treated properly with the right amount of examination and care, the effects can be fatal. Don’t let the early warning signs pass you or your loved ones by.

With the modern technology found at the Center for Advanced Dentistry, Dr. Hornstein can help you treat it, no matter what your age is.

Basically, there are three main methods of treatment:

  • Surgery
  • Using a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine
  • Wearing a custom fit oral appliance at night.

Surgery might sound a bit extreme at first, but if you have a blocked airway, surgery is highly recommended. With an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), blockages somewhere in the airway occur repeatedly in a short amount of time. Your breathing can stop for as little as a few seconds to a few minutes. The hope with the surgery option is to open the airway. That way, you can reduce obstructions to a safe level. Your uvula, palate and jaw are looked at.

With a CPAP machine, oxygen is continuously pumped into your nose or a facial mask.

If you find a CPAP to be a ball and chain, there is another option. Oral appliance therapy involves an orthotic made with you in mind and you wear it at night. This orthotic can do all kinds of things, like preventing the soft palate from blocking your airways and repositioning your tongue. Even better, an oral appliance lessens snoring.

Dr. Hornstein and the Center for Advanced Dentistry are here to help. We’re happy to talk with you about what’s best for treating your sleep apnea. Give us a call today. We serve patients from Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike, and surrounding areas.