Comfortable and discreet sleep apnea treatment in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Sleep apnea affects your sleep and often leaves you feeling drowsy and unable to focus during the day. Dentists are often your first stop for diagnosing and treating sleep apnea. Top general dentists Alex Shklyar, DDS and Madueke Ekoh, DDS can diagnose sleep apnea or help you find a treatment if it’s something you’ve been struggling to manage. Before going another night with disrupted sleep, schedule an evaluation at Greenway Dental Group in Greenbelt, Maryland. Book either through the online scheduling system or over the phone.

Silent Nite® by Glidewell Laboratories

Silent Nite® by Glidewell Laboratories
  • Helping patients achieve a deeper, more satisfying night’s sleep,
  • Treats sleep-disordered. breathing quickly and effectively.
  • More than 400,000 Silent Nite Sleep Appliances delivered

Sleep Apnea Q & A

How do I know if I have sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea affects your breathing and can cause your windpipe to collapse as you sleep. Some patients even have brain signaling issues, which impair their normal breathing patterns. If you have sleep apnea, you’re likely going to wake up several times throughout the night.

Not all sleep apnea sufferers remember waking up frequently, although their partners certainly do since they were also kept awake. Other common signs of sleep apnea include:

  • Loud snoring
  • Sore throat in the morning
  • Dry mouth during the night
  • Sore jaws or teeth grinding
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Uncontrollable mood swings

Some patients even describe having frequent headaches upon first waking up in the morning. You’re likely to experience several of these symptoms if you have sleep apnea.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Sleep Apnea
Do you snore excessively? Do you suffer from daytime fatigue? Do you awake during the night with shortness of breath? You may suffer from the life-threatening sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. About 1 in every 15 Americans suffer from sleep apnea and it is a problem that many don’t even realize they might have. But what does this have to do with dentistry? Because sleep apnea is caused by an airway obstruction, the disorder can be treated through the mouth. The Thorton adjustable positioner, or Tap appliance is one of the more popular ways to treat sleep apnea. When the jawbone yes lax, the tongue and soft tissue obstruct the airway. The tap appliance advances the jaw bone, allowing the air to flow freely and making sleep more restful throughout the night. If you think you might suffer from sleep apnea, talk to your dentist today about possible treatment options.

Your dentist spends time going over all of your symptoms to understand what’s causing your condition. Once they learn your sleep habits, they can help you find a resolution. Many sleep apnea sufferers get instant relief by wearing a custom mandibular advancement device or mouthguard.

Mouthguards, which are made right in the office at Greenway Dental Group, help prevent clenching and grinding that are often linked to sleep apnea. Depending on your needs, you might benefit from a lower arch mouthguard that gently pulls your lower jaw forward as you sleep. This opens up your airway and helps you breathe easier during the night.

Your dentist can even help you communicate with your primary care physician if you need to start making lifestyle changes, like losing weight. You might also be a candidate for a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine that helps push air into your airways and keeps them open while you sleep.

Do I need surgery for sleep apnea?

Surgery for sleep apnea is always the last resort if you aren’t responding to more conservative treatments. As dental surgeon experts, the team at Greenway Dental Group can perform jaw repositioning, which helps minimize airway obstructions.

They may even suggest removing certain tissues, such as your tonsils, that vibrate and cause snoring. The team strives to help you find the right device or surgical procedure for your own needs and comfort level.

Find out how the sleep apnea experts at Greenway Dental Group can help you by scheduling a consultation either online or over the phone.