Sleep Apnea TreatmentIn Keene, NH
Sleep apnea goes beyond snoring. Repeated disruptions to your breathing can interfere with the quality of your sleep and take a toll on how you feel during the day. At Elm City Dental Care, we take a personalized approach to treatment, helping you breathe more comfortably at night and get the deeper, more restorative rest your body needs.
Why should I choose Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Sleep apnea can affect how you feel now and how well your body functions over time. Poor-quality sleep may leave you tired, foggy, and less like yourself during the day, while untreated sleep apnea is also associated with increased cardiovascular risks, including high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. With the right treatment, the goal is to support steadier breathing and more restorative sleep, so you can wake up feeling better while protecting your long-term health.
The Benefits of Sleep Apnea Treatment
Network of Local Specialists
Sleep apnea care often works best with the right team in place. When needed, we coordinate with trusted local sleep specialists to support testing, diagnosis, and treatment planning, helping you move forward with clear next steps and care that stays connected.
Oral appliance therapy
For some patients with obstructive sleep apnea, a custom oral appliance can offer a comfortable, convenient way to support better breathing at night. Worn while you sleep, the appliance gently positions the jaw to help keep the airway more open, supporting more restful sleep without the bulk of a CPAP machine. We’ll work with you to determine whether oral appliance therapy is an appropriate option for your needs.
Supporting better breathing, better sleep
If you’ve been struggling with a CPAP machine, you may be a candidate for oral appliance therapy. A custom oral appliance is worn while you sleep and gently repositions the jaw to help keep your airway more open. For the right patient, it can offer a simpler, more comfortable way to manage obstructive sleep apnea and support more restful sleep.
The Sleep Apnea Treatment Process
Sleep Test And Diagnosis
The first step is seeing a sleep specialist for a diagnosis. If you’ve already been diagnosed with sleep apnea, we will begin with a consultation to discuss your concerns and outline a proposed treatment plan.
Treatment Discussion
Treatment options vary based on the severity of your sleep apnea. For mild cases, a custom retainer may be all that’s needed. More severe cases may require solutions like a CPAP machine or even oral surgery to remove excess tissue. Your doctor will guide you through the best treatment for your needs.
Partnering with Your Dentist
If your treatment involves a retainer, orthodontics, or surgery, our team is here to assist. We’ll collaborate with your sleep specialist to ensure you receive the best care and support for managing your sleep apnea effectively.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) involves wearing a custom-made mouthguard while you sleep. This device gently shifts your jaw to keep your airway open, preventing oral tissue from blocking your airflow. As a result, your breathing remains uninterrupted throughout the night. OAT is most effective for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Along with professional treatments, your sleep specialist and dentist may suggest lifestyle changes to help manage sleep apnea. These could include quitting smoking, exercising, losing weight, avoiding alcohol and drugs (especially before bed), and sleeping on your side rather than your back or stomach.
CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, is a machine that delivers a steady stream of pressurized air through a mask while you sleep. This air prevents your airway from collapsing, stopping sleep apnea episodes. CPAP is typically recommended for patients with more severe cases of sleep apnea.
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Renewed smiles with Elm City Dental Care
Whether you're ready for your next cleaning, exploring ways to improve your oral health, or looking for a dental home you can feel confident in, we're here to make getting started simple.
We welcome patients from Keene and throughout Cheshire County, as well as those traveling from communities across New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts.