Practice Logo Horizontal

Call our office today to schedule your appointment!

Practice Logo
1201 County Road 1, Suite B
Dunedin, FL 34698
Practice Logo
1201 County Road 1, Suite B
Dunedin, FL 34698

Sleep Apnea & Snoring Treatment

Sleep Apnea Clock Image

Dunedin Dental Associates provides sleep apnea and snoring treatment in Dunedin, FL. Call 727-734-3321 to learn more and schedule your appointment.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleeping problem that can have a significant impact on your health. Patients with sleep apnea have frequent pauses in breathing while sleeping. The body is jolted awake from a deep sleep when this happens, although most people have no memory of it. Patients are often unaware that they are waking up dozens or even hundreds of times every night, making OSA difficult to diagnose.

Because of this, it’s important to be familiar with the symptoms of sleep apnea. The most common include:

Loud snoring
Fatigue throughout the day
Never feeling well-rested, even after a full night of sleep
Frequently waking with a sore throat or headache
Mood changes
Trouble concentrating
Weight gain
Poor performance at work or in school

Sleep apnea has been linked to obesity, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure when left untreated.

Couple Sleeping in Bed Image

Snoring

Snoring is caused by narrowing or blocking of the airway. The disruption of airflow causes the soft palate and tissues of the throat to vibrate, and the narrower the airway becomes, the louder the snoring.

Man Unable to Sleep Image

Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a physical blockage in the airway that causes pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. This is usually caused by the tongue or soft tissues in the neck, as they relax while the patient sleeps. The sleep disruption caused by sleep apnea can negatively impact your quality of sleep, leaving you tired and irritable.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

During sleep, the soft tissues in the airway relax and obstruct the flow of air, causing sleep apnea. A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, which keeps the airway open by blowing air through a mask worn on the face, is the most common treatment for OSA. Unfortunately, CPAP therapy is uncomfortable for many individuals.

Oral appliance therapy, or OSA, is an alternative treatment for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea. OSA involves the use of a custom-made mouthpiece that repositions the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep. Oral appliance therapy is typically a more comfortable option for patients who cannot tolerate wearing a CPAP mask.

Running Man Decorative Image

Lifestyle Changes

Minor sleep disruptions can often be addressed with lifestyle changes such as weight loss, smoking cessation, or clearing your nasal passages.

Sleep Appliance Image

Custom Sleep Appliances

Many patients that suffer from sleep disorders may be able to find relief using a custom removable oral appliance that adjusts the position of the lower jaw and tongue during sleep. Each oral appliance is custom-created for the patient, ensuring that it is the most comfortable fit possible. Even then, oral appliances can take some adjustment. Please be sure to bring your oral appliance to your appointments to make sure it is fitting properly.

CPAP Sleep Image

Breathing Devices

If you find that oral appliance therapy does not help reduce your sleep apnea symptoms, then CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, can successfully treat obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP technology utilizes a mask that delivers a supply of positive air that is strong enough to push the air through the blockage. 

Why Choose Dunedin Dental Associates

Dunedin Dental Associates offers custom-made oral appliances for the treatment of sleep apnea. Dr. Spencer has advanced training in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, so you can feel confident knowing you’re getting the best possible care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea

What are the warning signs of sleep apnea?

Feeling exhausted throughout the day, loud snoring, waking up gasping for air, morning headaches or sore throats, difficulties concentrating, and mood swings are all indicators of sleep apnea. Others may notice that you stop breathing while sleeping, but you may be unaware when this occurs.

What happens if sleep apnea is left untreated?

Your body requires restorative sleep every night; if you don't get it, you're more likely to develop serious health problems including stroke, heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, depression, and more.

Is there a way to treat sleep apnea without a CPAP?

Yes, there are options for treating sleep apnea without a CPAP machine. Although lifestyle changes are often helpful, they can take a long time to produce results. For many patients, oral appliance therapy can alleviate OSA symptoms right away.

Can I test myself for sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea must be diagnosed by a sleep medicine specialist, however, this can often be done at home with an at-home sleep monitor rather than needing to stay overnight at a sleep lab. After your at-home test, we will analyze the results and provide you with a diagnosis.
Call 727-734-3321 to learn more and schedule your appointment.

Contact our office today to schedule your appointment!

1201 County Road 1, Suite B
Dunedin FL 34698
Appointment Request
First Name
Last Name
Sending

chevron-down