Sleep apnea affects approximately 30 million Americans, but only one-fifth have received an official diagnosis. Consequently, many people with sleep apnea suffer from the symptoms, which include the following:
Daytime drowsiness
Decreased sex drive
Depression
Difficulty focusing
Dry mouth or sore throat when waking
Headaches when waking
Hypertension
Mood changes
Nighttime sleep disruptions with choking or gasping
Periods during sleep without breathing
Snoring
Recognizing your symptoms could indicate you have sleep apnea is the first step toward treatment that can alleviate those symptoms. Let’s look at what sleep apnea is, the types of sleep apnea, how sleep apnea surgery can help, and ways to afford effective sleep apnea treatments.
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder. It involves disruptions in breathing during sleep. Without treatment, sleep apnea symptoms can make it challenging for you to make decisions. You may also struggle with behavioral changes, and your memory could also be affected.
Causes Of Sleep Apnea
Common causes of sleep apnea include the following:
Alcohol use
Asthma
Congestive heart failure
Enlarged adenoids
Enlarged tonsils
Genetics
Hormonal changes
Nasal congestion
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Sedative use
Smoking
Thick neck
Tranquilizer use
Weight gain
Males and older adults also have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea.
What Are The Different Types Of Sleep Apnea?
There are three types of sleep apnea. Each type disrupts your breathing while you sleep.
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
Brain signals cause central sleep apnea (CSA). Although breathing is often a subconscious behavior you do without thinking, the human brain has to send signals to the body to ensure you breathe. If you have CSA, your chest muscles and airway don’t receive those signals.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the throat muscles block the airway. It is the most common type of sleep apnea.
Complex Sleep Apnea
Complex sleep apnea involves a transition from OSA to CSA. This transition occurs after treatment for OSA.
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Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) involves removing the uvula and excess tissue to prevent your airway from being blocked while asleep. UPPP is the most common obstructive sleep apnea surgery used to treat OSA.
Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) is another surgery for OSA. It involves breaking and repositioning the upper and lower jaws to expand the airway.
Dentists may use palate expanders to treat sleep apnea. These dental appliances gradually expand the upper jaw. This expansion eliminates obstructions causing sleep apnea, ensuring those who receive this treatment get enough oxygen while sleeping.
Your surgical options also include hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS). With HGNS, surgeons install a device that stimulates the nerves controlling your tongue, keeping your tongue from blocking your airway when you’re asleep.
Radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RFVTR) is another surgical treatment for OSA. This treatment involves removing tissue at the base of your tongue to prevent it from blocking your airway. Some people with OSA may also have lingualplasty, a surgery to reduce their tongue size
The best sleep apnea surgery depends on your type of sleep apnea. While nerve stimulation may be an effective treatment for central sleep apnea (CSA), tissue reduction won’t restore your brain signals. Determining the best surgical treatment for your sleep apnea begins with identifying the root causes of your condition.
Success rates for sleep apnea surgery vary. Since recovery takes time, the period between surgery and post-surgery assessment affects results. Studies may also use different metrics to determine success. Depending on the study, UPPP’s success rate ranges from 16% to 83%.
Depending on the metrics used to measure success, the success rate for MMA can be as high as 86%. This rate reflects a significant improvement in airflow, as 43% of those who undergo MMA achieve optimum airflow after surgery.
Affording Sleep Apnea Surgery
When you book an appointment with an Absolute Dental dentist in Las Vegas, you’ll enjoy many payment options that make it possible to afford the dental care you need. Our Smile Saver program is a perfect option for those without dental insurance. If you sign up for Smile Saver, you’ll enjoy discounts on all dental services. We also offer regular discounts on services and dental appliances that can address your dental health issues.
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Other Treatment Options
A continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machine is one treatment option for regulating a person’s breathing while they sleep. The motor delivers pressurized air through the tube to the mask. You wear the mask while sleeping, and it covers your airways (mouth and nose). The steady delivery of pressurized air ensures your passages don’t close while asleep, preventing sleep apnea. CPAP machines can treat CSA and OSA.
If you’ve developed sleep apnea due to other health issues, weight gain, or stress, you may be able to treat the root causes.
Risks of Forgoing Treatment
Without treatment, sleep apnea increases your risks of developing severe health issues, including the following:
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At Absolute Dental, we’re proud to provide comprehensive dental care to families across Las Vegas. Whether you’re in need of teeth cleaning, cosmetic dentistry, braces, or pediatric dental care, we’ve got you covered. From general care to emergency dental services, we’re here to help you and your loved ones maintain healthy, beautiful smiles, with convenient locations in your neighborhood.
Absolute Dental’s expert dental team provides oral surgery in Las Vegas. We offer routine dental care, including exams and teeth cleanings. We can also answer your questions about sleep apnea and treatment options that could alleviate your symptoms. With our expert dental health care, we’ll restore your smile and your sleep.
