Sleep Apnea Therapy

Sleep apnea is more than just loud snoring. It is a serious medical condition that can disrupt your sleep and affect your overall health. At Sierra Dental, we take sleep apnea seriously. With that, we offer personalized solutions designed to help restore restful sleep and protect your long-term health.

Our team is experienced in sleep apnea treatment. We work closely with patients to provide effective treatment specific to their needs.

If you are struggling with daytime fatigue, restless nights, or snoring, sleep apnea therapy can greatly improve your life. Book your consultation today to start your journey.

How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Overall Health

Sleep apnea doesn’t just affect your sleep. It is also associated with increased risk of several other chronic health conditions. When your breathing is repeatedly interrupted during the night, your brain and organs do not get the oxygen they need to function well. This can lead to serious health problems in the long run.

Some of the most common health risks linked to untreated sleep apnea include:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Obesity
• Mood disorders (depression, mania, dysthymia, bipolar disorder)

In addition, many patients experience daytime fatigue that can increase the risk of workplace or driving accidents, which can affect their quality of life.

How Sierra Dental Can Help Sleep Apnea Patients

Obstructive sleep apnea can occur due to the mechanics of the mouth and throat, such as relaxed tongue/throat muscles, enlarged tonsils, or a narrow jaw. With that, dentists can play an important role in treating it.

The most commonly recommended treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). However, these machines can be difficult for some patients to tolerate and use nightly. That is where custom oral appliances come in.

If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, our team can help. We have advanced training and experience in sleep apnea therapy and have helped many of our patients with a more comfortable, non-invasive solution.

Oral devices, such as the Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD), may ease mild to moderate sleep apnea symptoms in patients, especially for those who are not overweight. MADs look similar to a nightguard or mouthguard. They gently reposition the jaw forward during sleep, helping keep the airway open to reduce disruptions and improve your overall sleep.

Whether you are struggling with a CPAP machine or simply want a more comfortable solution to your sleep concerns, our sleep apnea team at Sierra Dental is here to help. We will perform a detailed assessment and walk you through your options, including whether a dental sleep appliance is right for you.

Benefits of Oral Devices for Sleep Apnea Treatment

For patients at Sierra Dental, oral appliances offer a non-invasive, easy-to-use alternative for sleep apnea therapy. Here are some of the advantages of oral devices compared to CPAP treatment or surgical intervention:

• Cost – Even the most premium-grade oral appliances tend to cost less than CPAP machines, making them a more accessible option for many patients.
• Comfort – While the oral device may be uncomfortable at first, most of our Calgary patients are able to adapt quickly and find it to be easier to use overtime.
• Proven effectiveness – Clinical trials have shown that oral devices can significantly reduce or eliminate mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
• No side effects – These devices are custom-made to fit the mouth, making them well-tolerated and less likely to cause irritation or discomfort.
• Easy to use consistently – Because they are discreet and comfortable, patients are able to use these oral devices more regularly than machines.
• Long-term improvement – With its studied effectiveness and improved frequency of use, oral appliances are able to improve the strength of the airway to reduce or eliminate sleep apnea.

Choosing the Right Device for Sleep Apnea Treatment

The most widely recommended and effective sleep apnea treatments are CPAP machines and dental appliances.

At Sierra Dental, we help patients determine the most appropriate solution based on the severity of their symptoms, upper airway anatomy, overall health, and personal preferences.

Choosing the Right Device for Sleep Apnea Treatment

The most widely recommended and effective sleep apnea treatments are CPAP machines and dental appliances.

At Sierra Dental, we help patients determine the most appropriate solution based on the severity of their symptoms, upper airway anatomy, overall health, and personal preferences.

CPAP Machines: Trusted and Proven Solution for Sleep Apnea

CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. These machines are widely used by sleep physicians because of their high effectiveness, especially for patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea.

A CPAP machine blows air with continuous pressure down the throat during your sleep to keep the airways open and prevent breathing interruptions or apneas. They are effective in reducing snoring, improving sleep quality, relieving daytime fatigue, and lowering the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.

CPAP machines typically consist of three parts:

• A mask that fits over the nose and mouth, secured with straps
• A motor that generates airflow
• A tube connecting the motor to the mask

Today’s CPAP machines are compact, lightweight, and quieter than older models. However, some patients may still find it restrictive at first and can be uncomfortable due to the “confinement” feeling.

Some possible side effects include:

• Sore or dry mouth
• Excessive salivation
• Altered bite or jaw discomfort
• Nasal congestion, runny nose, sinusitis
• Nosebleeds
• Skin irritation or pressure sores on the nose bridge
• Stomach bloating
• Mild chest pain

Most of these side effects are manageable with refitting or adjustments. Our team at Sierra Dental will guide you on how to properly use your CPAP machine so you can get the most out of your therapy.

Mouth Devices: A Comfortable and Effective Alternative

If you have mild to moderate sleep apnea and find CPAP therapy difficult to tolerate, oral devices, or dental sleep devices, may be a more comfortable solution.

At Sierra Dental, we offer customized oral appliances designed to help our patients breathe more easily through the night and reduce apnea episodes.

Mandibular Advancement Device (MADs): Leading Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea

A Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) is the most widely used oral device for sleep apnea. It looks like a sports mouthguard and is fitted over the upper and lower jaw.

It has adjustable metal hinges that gently move the lower jaw forward. By doing so, the muscles that collapse during apneas tighten, preventing them from collapsing and obstructing the airway during sleep.

Key Benefits of MADs include:

• Custom-fit comfort to your bite
• Non-invasive and easy to wear
• No electricity or mask required
• Ideal for travel
• Well-tolerated for long-term use

To check if you are a good candidate for a MAD, we will assess your teeth, mouth, and jaw joints. If suitable, we will create a model of your teeth using digital impressions scanning available in our clinic. From this, a customized appliance will be made to precisely fit your mouth.

Sleep Better with Sleep Apnea Therapy at Sierra Dental

If sleep apnea is affecting your rest and health, we are here to help. Our experienced team at Sierra Dental can guide you through your options, from CPAP to custom oral appliances, so you can wake up feeling truly rested.

Book a personalized today at (403) 297-9600 and take the first step toward better sleep.

Sleep Apnea Therapy FAQs