Are you struggling with morning fatigue, daytime sleepiness, or difficulty concentrating? These may be indicators of sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder characterized by breathing disruptions during sleep. At Karis Orthodontics, we offer proven sleep apnea solutions to help restore your restful sleep and enhance your quality of life. Visit our Lewisville practice to get started today!
Our Treatments
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that impacts millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by repeated pauses in breathing as you sleep, which can last over 10 seconds and occur dozens, if not hundreds of times a night. When your oxygen levels drop, your brain wakes you up to start breathing again.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most prevalent type of sleep apnea. It results from the muscles in the back of the throat relaxing as you sleep, leading to the soft tissues collapsing and blocking your airway. This cycle of disruption keeps you from getting into the deep stages of sleep, so you feel sleepy all day and find it difficult to focus on your daily tasks. Most people do not recall waking up, which is why sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed.
How Does Sleep Apnea Impact Your Health?
Sleep apnea can lead to a host of oral and overall health risks. Repeated pauses in breathing as you sleep can cause mouth breathing, which can result in chronic dry mouth. This elevates your risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea often grind their teeth in their sleep, which can result in tooth enamel erosion, sensitivity, jaw pain, and even temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Untreated sleep apnea has also been linked to serious health conditions. Repeated drops in your blood oxygen levels during sleep can strain the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, and irregular heartbeats. Sleep apnea has also been associated with metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Chronic sleep deprivation can also lead to daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, mood disorders, and an increased risk of accidents. In the long term, untreated sleep apnea can contribute to liver problems and a reduced life expectancy.
What Are the Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea?
The following are some of the symptoms of sleep apnea:
- Loud snoring
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Frequent awakenings
- Morning headaches
- Daytime drowsiness and fatigue
- Difficulty focusing or memory problems
- Mood changes, irritability, and depression
- Morning dry mouth or sore throat
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Screening for sleep apnea begins with a comprehensive sleep apnea assessment, which includes in-depth questionnaires and a thorough review of your symptoms. If signs indicate a possible sleep disorder, we may refer you to a sleep or ENT specialist for further evaluation and diagnosis. This may involve a sleep study (polysomnography) or an at-home sleep apnea test (HSAT), depending on your specific needs.
What Are Sleep Apnea Treatment Options?
Traditionally, sleep apnea treatment includes the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine that blows a stream of pressurized air through a mask to keep your airway open. However, many patients find CPAP therapy cumbersome and seek alternative treatments.
Your physician will recommend treatment options based on your diagnosis and needs. You can discuss alternatives to a CPAP with your treating doctor. If prescribed by your physician, our team at Karis Orthodontics is happy to offer custom oral appliance therapy.
There are many oral appliance options, and the one right for you will depend on your unique needs and your doctor's prescription.
For more advanced cases, additional orthodontic and surgical solutions may be recommended. These include MARPE (Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion), SARPE (Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion), and jaw surgery, which can help expand the airway and improve long-term breathing function.
At Karis Orthodontics, we’ll work with a skilled team of providers to provide the most effective treatment option to restore your restful, rejuvenating sleep and enhance your quality of life.
Sleep Apnea Screening and Treatment Near Me in Lewisville, TX
At Karis Orthodontics, we understand the importance of restful sleep to enhance your health and well-being. We are happy to offer sleep apnea assessment and oral appliance therapy to get you on track to lasting relief.
Call 469-968-0111 to schedule an appointment or schedule one online today!
ready to level up your smile?
let's get started!
Looking for cutting-edge orthodontic solutions to transform your smile? Whether you’re considering braces, clear aligners, cosmetic enhancements, or care for kids, we offer personalized care tailored to your unique needs. Book your appointment to get started today!