The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine defines sleep apnea as a potentially life-threatening medical disorder that causes
your body to stop breathing during sleep. The muscles in your throat relax and
the tongue may fall back and block the airway as you sleep, reducing the amount
of oxygen delivered to all of your organs including your heart and brain. People
with sleep apnea may snore loudly and stop breathing for short periods of time.
The sudden pause in breathing can cause your body to briefly wake while you remain
unaware. This can happen hundreds of times per night, and you may wake up
feeling unrefreshed. In addition to snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep apnea can
cause memory loss, morning headaches, irritability, depression and impaired concentration. When left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to
hypertension, stroke, heart attack and sudden death while asleep. Southlands Dental Associates treats sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. Oral appliance therapy involves the selection, fitting and use of specifically designed oral appliance that maintains an open, unobstructed airway in the throat when worn during sleep. The initial evaluation for sleep apnea will consist of an examination and x-rays. During that visit Dr. Thomasson can determine the appropriate oral appliance, fit the oral appliance, and make any necessary adjustments to maximizes its function. Most patients experience relief on the first night!
