Sleep Apnea Specialist

Bucktown Wicker Park Dental

General and Cosmetic Dentistry located in Chicago, IL

Do you snore loudly, gasp for breath during slumber, and feel drowsy during much of the day? You may have sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which your airway gets blocked during sleep causing intermittent awakenings. Dr. Evan Shin, and Melissa Daza, DDS, and the team at Bucktown Wicker Park Dental offer dental appliances to keep your airway open and protect you from the serious side effects of sleep apnea. Call the Chicago office, or book an appointment using the online tool to determine if dental treatment for sleep apnea is right for you.

Sleep Apnea Q & A

Why does sleep apnea happen?

Sleep apnea occurs when your breathing is interrupted for at least 10 seconds at a time throughout the night. These awakenings may not consciously awaken you, but they reduce oxygen to your brain and disturb your sleep patterns.

Sleep apnea happens because the muscles of your throat collapse and fail to keep your airway open. This may be due to genetics, the natural being overweight, a large neck circumference, and certain medical conditions.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is often characterized by loud snoring. Other symptoms include:

• Gasping for air during sleep
• Morning headaches
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Trouble concentrating
• Awakening with a dry mouth

Your partner may report that you wake up gasping for breath during the night too.

How can dental therapies help with sleep apnea?

A CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, machine is a common treatment for sleep apnea. This bulky machine requires you to wear a mask as you sleep. The air pressure delivered from the CPAP keeps your airway open. Although the machine can be effective, it’s uncomfortable, noisy, and difficult to transport.

At Bucktown Wicker Park Dental, your provider can custom-make dental appliances that help keep your throat open. These appliances are far easier to use, portable, and silent. The appliances work in different ways; some shift your jaw forward so your throat muscles don’t collapse and you breathe throughout the night.

Once you’re fitted with an appliance, your provider checks regularly with you to make sure the fit is still good and it’s helping reduce your symptoms.

Why should I have sleep apnea treated?

Sleep apnea is associated with a number of chronic conditions. These include:

• Heart disease
• Hypertension
• Sexual dysfunction
• Mood and memory problems

These conditions likely occur due to the combination of oxygen deprivation and sleep disturbances. A dental appliance that prevents sleep apnea can help reduce the chance these complications will occur.