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Sleep Apnea

Gateway Dental

General Dentists located in Colleyville, TX

The National Sleep Foundation reports that 5%-20% of the adult population struggles with sleep apnea. Patricia Calabria, DDS and Andre Ellis, DDS of Gateway Dental in Colleyville, Texas are ready to help thanks to their specialized training in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea. They provide custom mandibular advancement devices (MAD) and mouth guards to improve breathing patterns while sleeping. Receive treatment for your sleep apnea “once and for all” by scheduling an evaluation: Schedule your appointment over the phone.

Sleep Apnea Q & A

What causes sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to stop breathing — albeit momentarily — while sleeping.

The two main types of sleep apnea are obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, your airway collapses while sleeping. If you have central sleep apnea, the condition stems from interference in brain signaling.

Common causes and risk factors for sleep apnea include:

  • Older age
  • Excess body weight
  • Heart disorders
  • Frequent alcohol consumption
  • Sex (more common in males)

Sometimes, men and women have a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea, often making symptoms even more severe.

Does sleep apnea cause symptoms?

Yes, although many sleep apnea sufferers are entirely unaware that their symptoms stem from sleep apnea. For instance, if you wake up feeling groggy and can never seem to wake up feeling rested, sleep apnea could be interrupting your sleep. Other common symptoms include:

  • Frequent morning headaches
  • Sore jaws
  • Dry mouth
  • Attention problems
  • Mood swings

Snoring is another big red flag of sleep apnea, so your partner’s sleep could be negatively affected too. It’s important to get treatment for sleep apnea if you experience any of these symptoms or this sleep disorder prevents your partner from getting proper rest.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Obstructive sleep apnea is commonly treated with a CPAP or a mandibular advancement appliance. The mandibular advancement appliance is made through the dental office. An impression is taken and sent to a lab for fabrication of the mandibular advancement appliance. Your dentist will then seat the appliance and follow up with the patient to make sure sleep is improved.

These devices gently push your lower jaw forward and holding it in that position while you sleep. This jaw placement helps open your airways and allows you to breathe easier while sleeping.

What’s particularly beneficial about wearing these dental devices is that they provide immediate relief. You’re going to breathe easier — and thus sleep better — the first night you wear them.

If you have sleep apnea, find out how the caring team at Gateway Dental can help you. Schedule your appointment by calling the clinic.