Are your quality of sleep and quality of life affected by sleep apnea? At Southard Family Dentistry, mild to moderate sleep apnea can be successfully treated using oral appliance therapy. Our Jonesboro, AR dental office provides custom-fitted oral appliances as an effective, conservative approach to managing snoring and other sleep-disordered breathing problems!
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Identified as continual pauses in breathing during sleep, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a reaction to your muscles relaxing during sleep and gravity pulling your airway closed. Sleep apnea can then lead to more serious health conditions including hypertension, memory loss, mood change, weight gain, and severe fatigue.
What Are The Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea?
Patients who suffer from sleep apnea regularly experience:
- Heavy Snoring
- Periodic Loss Of Breath While Sleeping
- Struggling To Breathe While Sleeping
- Constant Fatigue And Lack Of Energy
- Weight Gain
- Depression
- Dry Throat
- Irritability & Mood Swings
Is Sleep Apnea Dangerous?
If you have been diagnosed with, or suspect that you have this condition, you could be at a higher risk for:
- Stroke
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- Depression
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Diabetes
- Worsening ADHD
Sleep Apnea Treatment at Southard Family Dentistry
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, our team can provide you with a custom-fitted oral appliance for treatment.
We make custom oral appliances that are designed to open airways during sleep. Generally, patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea prefer oral appliances to the bulky CPAP machines that are often provided for treatment.
Oral appliances can help battle the effects of sleep apnea by:
- Bringing the lower jaw open and forward
- Holding the tongue forward
- Lifting the drooping soft palate
Oral appliances worn in the mouth during sleep prevent soft tissues from collapsing and obstructing the airway.
We Bill Through Medical Insurance!
Most dentists do not bill through patients' medical insurance for sleep apnea treatment, but at Southard Family Dentistry, we do! This means that you can receive a thorough screening from the dentists you know and trust, without needing to seek out an outside physician.
If you have questions about the medical insurance billing process, please call today to speak with our patient coordinator.
Schedule Your Sleep Apnea Screening
Sleep apnea doesn't have to disrupt your quality of life or health! Call today to schedule your sleep apnea screening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sleep apnea is a sleep-related condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common type, occurs when the muscles and soft tissues in the throat relax and partially or completely block the airway. These interruptions can affect sleep quality, energy levels, and overall health.
Common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include loud, persistent snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, waking up gasping or struggling to breathe, morning dry mouth, daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and mood changes. Some people have sleep apnea without realizing it, so reports from a partner or family member can be helpful in recognizing the signs.
Yes. Dentists with experience in dental sleep medicine can provide oral appliance therapy for appropriate patients with obstructive sleep apnea. At Southard Family Dentistry in Jonesboro, AR, we offer custom-fitted oral appliances designed to help keep the airway open during sleep. Sleep apnea should be properly diagnosed, typically through a sleep study ordered or coordinated by a qualified medical provider, before treatment is selected.
A sleep apnea oral appliance is worn while you sleep. Depending on its design, it generally positions the lower jaw slightly forward to help prevent the soft tissues in the throat from blocking the airway. This can reduce breathing interruptions and improve sleep for patients who are good candidates for this type of treatment.
Oral appliances are often recommended for people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. They can also be an option for some patients with more severe sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP or prefer an alternative treatment solution.
Yes, an oral appliance may reduce snoring by helping keep the airway open during sleep. However, snoring can occur with or without sleep apnea, and persistent or loud snoring may be a sign of an underlying breathing disorder. An evaluation can help determine whether sleep apnea may be contributing to your symptoms and whether an oral appliance is a suitable option.
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can contribute to more significant health concerns, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, irregular heart rhythms, and increased daytime sleepiness. Poor sleep can also affect mood, concentration, and daily functioning. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, getting evaluated is an important step toward protecting your overall health.
Yes, repeated breathing interruptions can disrupt the restorative stages of sleep, even if you do not remember waking up during the night. As a result, you may feel tired, irritable, or mentally foggy during the day. Treating sleep apnea effectively may help improve sleep quality and daytime alertness.
Yes! Southard Family Dentistry provides custom-fitted oral appliances designed for your smile and treatment needs. A properly fitted appliance is important for comfort, function, and effectiveness. Follow-up visits to our Jonesboro dental office may be needed to adjust the fit of your appliance and monitor your response to treatment.
Many patients appreciate that oral appliances are compact and do not require wearing a mask or using a machine. It may take time to adjust to sleeping with one, and some people experience temporary jaw discomfort, tooth soreness, dry mouth, or changes in their bite. Regular follow-up allows your dentist to assess the fit and address concerns.
Southard Family Dentistry offers medical insurance billing for sleep apnea treatment to make it easier to understand your coverage options. Benefits and eligibility vary by plan, and coverage is not guaranteed; contact our patient coordinator to discuss your insurance and any documentation or diagnostic requirements that may apply.
If you snore heavily, wake up gasping for air, or regularly feel exhausted despite getting enough sleep, contact Southard Family Dentistry to schedule a screening. Our team can discuss your symptoms, explain oral appliance therapy, and help you understand the next steps toward to better sleep.
