Diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea

“Sleep apnea” is a general term for a condition in which your breathing stops and starts repeatedly throughout the night. While there are different forms of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form. It occurs when the airway becomes restricted during sleep, reducing oxygen intake and setting off a cascade of negative effects in the body. If you live in the Payson, Utah area and have been searching for a “dentist near me” who can work with you to diagnose and treat sleep apnea, you have found the right place!

Diagnosing sleep apnea

Dr. Cheyn Gunnerson and the team at TMJ & Sleep Therapy of Utah are highly skilled and experienced in working with patients to diagnose sleep apnea. While many people may not even realize they have sleep apnea, others may visit us because they have one or more symptoms of the condition, such as:

• Snoring loudly throughout the night
• Gasping for air or startling awake
• Your bed partner notices that you stop breathing while you sleep
• Having a dry mouth when you wake up
• Excessive sleepiness during the day
• Difficulty paying attention throughout the day
• Irritability and mood changes

The first step in diagnosing sleep apnea is to take a sleep test. This can be done in the comfort of your own home with a portable sleep monitor, which records important aspects of your sleep (such as the number of times you wake up throughout the night). Our providers then analyze this data to determine whether you have sleep apnea. If you do, we then use the advanced SICAT® diagnostic imaging system and CEREC® cone beam technology to create 3D digital replicas of your upper airway, mouth, throat, and other oral structures. This process helps us visualize the obstructions that are contributing to your sleep apnea.

Oral appliance therapy: a comfortable, convenient CPAP alternative

Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machines were the mainstay in treating sleep apnea for many years, but they can be fraught with problems for patients trying to use them. In addition to being bulky, cumbersome, and loud, CPAP machines are inconvenient to travel with and require an electrical source throughout the night, all of which leads to patients discontinuing their use. As a result, patients have become increasingly interested in alternative options that are more comfortable and convenient to treat their condition. That’s where oral appliance therapy comes in!

Based on the advanced imaging data that we have acquired during the diagnostic process, we create a personalized treatment plan specifically based on your unique needs. For patients experiencing soft tissue collapse, we create custom-made oral appliances based on a precise digital replica of your oral structures so that the device comfortably fits your mouth while preventing airway collapse so you can wake up refreshed. In addition to being more comfortable, oral appliance therapy is:

• Convenient and portable
• Much cheaper than a CPAP machine
• Quiet, with no sounds to disturb your sleep partner
• Effective and FDA-approved

Stop snoring and start sleeping soundly

If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, it is important to work with a qualified professional to diagnose and treat the condition before it can take a negative toll on your health and well-being. If left untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to many serious – and potentially deadly – health conditions such as heart disease, strokes, mood disorders, and more. Call TMJ & Sleep Therapy of Utah today at (801) 877-1126 to schedule your consultation. Your health is worth it!

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