Sleep Apnea In Elmhurst, IL - McKenna Dental

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing during sleep becomes disrupted, resulting in repeated waking, snoring, and shortness of breath. You may not even know you have sleep apnea, since most people who suffer from it do not remember the experience of snoring or gasping for air while sleeping. The complications of sleep apnea include an increased risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and depression. If a partner tells you have been snoring during the night, or you feel sleep deprived and are experiencing other symptoms associated with sleep apnea, your dentist in Elmhurst, IL can help.

New studies show that dental sleep apnea devices can help keep your mouth and jaw positioned during the night so that you can breathe unobstructed. The device keeps your jaw from relaxing into an open position and constricting your throat muscles. If you or a loved one is suffering from sleep apnea, call our practice to see how new dental technology can help you sleep well and improve your overall health.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Over 18 million Americans are currently living with sleep apnea—a sleep disorder that causes breathing to stop or become shallow throughout the night, disrupting your natural sleep cycle. While many people may have this disorder and not even know it, this sleep problem can affect waking hours, as well. Those with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) will often experience excessive daytime sleepiness, problems concentrating, and morning headaches.

Sleep Apnea Treatments 

The standard course of treatment for sleep apnea is usually CPAP equipment, which delivers a steady, controlled stream of pressurized air through a hose that attaches to a facemask that is worn while you sleep. This air helps to keep your airways open to prevent obstruction and help you sleep better.

However, there are some people that experience CPAP intolerance, whether it’s due to latex allergies or mask leaks. If you haven’t found relief through CPAP equipment then it’s time to talk to us about whether oral appliance therapy could treat your OSA symptoms.

Oral appliance therapy is designed to treat those with mild to moderate OSA, and may actually eliminate the need for CPAP equipment or surgery. If you have severe OSA this oral appliance may also be used in conjunction with other treatments to help you manage your symptoms.

Each sleep apnea device is custom-fitted to your mouth to target and address your specific needs. Since all mouths are shaped differently, these devices cannot be one size fits all. This is why you need to turn to our qualified dentist in order to be properly fitted for your oral appliance.

To schedule your next sleep apnea consultation with our staff, call our Elmhurst, IL office today 630-359-3502