Sleep Apnea Treatment New Lenox
Rest Easier, Live Better
Do you regularly feel fatigued and exhausted in the mornings at work, even though you went to bed right on time? Does your spouse or family regularly complain about your loud snoring? These symptoms can indicate the presence of a dangerous health condition that shouldn’t be left to its own devices: sleep apnea.
Whether you’ve already received a sleep apnea diagnosis or still need to undergo screening to determine your risk, our team at Atrium Family Dental of New Lenox may be able to provide effective sleep apnea treatment. We want to help you reclaim a better quality of life! Contact us today to schedule a visit.
Why Choose Atrium Family Dental of New Lenox for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
- Customized, Comfortable Oral Appliance Therapy
- 3 Highly Experienced Dentists In-Office
- Extended Morning & Even Hours for Your Convenience
What Is Sleep Apnea?
While there are multiple types of sleep apnea, the most common by far is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA occurs when the airway is partially or fully blocked by oral tissues, resulting in reduced breathing capacity and repeated pauses in breathing. When this happens, your brain arouses you enough to get you breathing again. As you might imagine, these episodes can seriously disrupt your sleep cycle and downgrade the quality of your nightly rest.
You might be a victim of OSA if you regularly experience any of these symptoms:
- Loud, frequent snoring
- Observed pauses in breathing
- Waking up in the morning with a sore throat and/or chronic headaches
- Reduced memory and concentration
- Regularly waking up with snorts or gasps
- Visiting the bathroom frequently throughout the night
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
At first, sleep apnea might seem like a mere annoyance. Nothing could be further from the truth! Indeed, this condition has strong associations with numerous health risks, including an increased chance of stroke, heart attack, dementia, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It can also take a heavy toll on your emotional and mental well-being; sleep apnea is linked to a heightened risk of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.
As if all of that were not enough, sleep apnea can also slow down your ability to react quickly in dangerous situations. According to some estimates, it is a contributing factor to hundreds of thousands of car accidents each year.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
Traditionally, sleep apnea has always been addressed with a CPAP machine, which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. The machine forces air into the patient’s lungs through a facial mask over the course of each night. While sleep apnea symptoms are definitely kept under control through consistent CPAP use, many patients forego treatment altogether because they cannot handle the noises and discomfort associated with the machinery. Thankfully, oral appliance therapy is a worthwhile alternative that deserves exploration.
Our dentists can design a custom-made appliance that resembles a mouthguard. Its purpose is to adjust the positioning of your lower jaw – just enough to prevent airway collapse and keep you breathing easily throughout the night. Many patients find that an oral appliance is more comfortable and convenient than a CPAP. Indeed, this treatment option boasts a significantly higher compliance rate.
Understanding the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment
At Atrium Family Dental of New Lenox, we understand how vital sleep is to live a long, healthy life, which is why we’re committed to making sleep apnea treatment safe, comfortable and affordable. To learn more about your options, including factors that determine the cost of sleep apnea treatment, contact us to schedule a consultation today.
Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Unfortunately, most dental insurance plans do not cover the cost of the diagnosis or treatment for sleep apnea. More likely, these will need to be covered by your medical insurance. Please check the details of your plan for more information.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment
There are two main factors that can influence the cost of sleep apnea treatment, each of which are unique to the individual patient.
- Which percentage (if any) of treatment will your medical insurance This requires all necessary paperwork to be submitted, including any clinical diagnostics, copies of your sleep study, and a written prescription from your physician.
- Which treatment do you select (oral appliance therapy or CPAP). Your medical insurance provider may preauthorize a specified amount that you can use for your treatment and how much you’ll be expected to pay out-of-pocket.
Treat Your Sleep Apnea Now to Improve Your Health
While it may seem like a big hassle to go through the steps involved in getting a sleep study, visiting a sleep specialist, and receiving an official diagnosis for sleep apnea, the truth is that doing so can save you time, money, and could even dramatically improve your quality of life.
Studies have shown that sleep apnea can increase your risk of developing many secondary health conditions such as stroke, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, depression, weight gain, GERD, cognitive impairment, and more.
The good news is that when you treat sleep apnea, you can help lessen the severity and likelihood of developing these issues and even reduce the potential costs of treating them later.
Making Sleep Apnea Treatment More Affordable
At Atrium Family Dental of New Lenox, we understand the importance of getting a good night’s sleep, which is why we’re so proud to offer sleep apnea therapy right here in our office. We are pleased to welcome payment plans through our preferred third-party lender, CareCredit, to make your treatment more affordable.
If you’re interested in learning more about sleep apnea treatment, including the financial details, contact us to schedule a consultation today!
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Why Should I See a Dentist for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Initially, the connection between sleep apnea and dentistry may seem strange. However, dentists undergo a lot of training that helps them to understand the upper respiratory area, including the teeth, jaw, and soft oral tissues. And some dentists have even completed additional education that equips them to provide effective sleep apnea treatment.
Does Everyone Who Snores Have Sleep Apnea?
Snoring and sleep apnea are two separate issues. Snoring is simply the sound that occurs when air moves past loose tissues in the throat; by itself, it is harmless. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by actual pauses in breathing.
Loud, frequent snoring is often an indicator of OSA. However, it is important to keep in mind that not everyone who snores has OSA, and not everyone with OSA snores. If you are concerned about the quality of your sleep, you should visit a qualified medical provider for an official diagnosis.
Can I Diagnose Sleep Apnea on My Own?
Sleep apnea is not self-diagnosable. OSA can cause many symptoms, some of which overlap with other conditions. The only reliable way to diagnose it is through an official sleep test. Our team or your primary care practitioner can help you arrange for such testing.
In the meantime, you may find it beneficial to track the quality of your sleep. You can make notes about things like how long you slept, how you felt upon waking, and factors that might have affected the quality of your sleep, such as caffeine consumption. This sleep journal may provide valuable data to your medical team.
Will Oral Appliance Therapy Make CPAP Therapy Unnecessary?
CPAP therapy delivers pressurized air through a mask in order to prevent pauses in breathing. Despite its effectiveness, only about 50% of patients adhere to CPAP therapy due to discomfort. Oral appliance therapy is a much more comfortable alternative. In many cases, it can completely replace a CPAP machine.
Will My Sleep Apnea Go Away if I Lose Weight?
Weight loss has the potential to improve sleep apnea symptoms. That is because extra fatty tissue around the neck and abdomen can place pressure on the airway, leading to nighttime breathing problems. As you shed some extra pounds, you could very well find that the quality of your sleep improves.
Nevertheless, there is a possibility that sleep apnea could persist even after weight loss. In some cases, the presence of OSA is due to anatomical factors that are completely unrelated to weight and body composition.