3 Game-Changing Treatments for Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea interferes with two of your most vital functions: rest and breathing. Over a billion people around the world have this sleep disorder. Unfortunately, there are many potential repercussions of going without treatment.

Our expert team at Swinney Dental in Tyler, Texas, creates customized sleep apnea appliances to improve your health and reduce your symptoms.

If you’re bothered by sleep apnea, read on to learn about advanced and minimally invasive treatments.

Sleep apnea types and symptoms

Sleep apnea causes you to repeatedly stop breathing during sleep.

When you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), relaxed throat muscles block air movement.

Central sleep apnea (CSA) stems from disrupted brain signals. You can also develop complex sleep apnea, which involves both OSA and CSA.

All types of sleep apnea cause similar symptoms, particularly:

Irregular breathing or pauses during sleep (which a loved one may notice)
Repeatedly waking up during sleep
Snoring
Waking up short of breath or with a headache
Daytime fatigue and exhaustion

Sleep apnea can also cause anxiety, depression, night sweats, and sexual dysfunction.

Over time, treated sleep apnea can fuel serious complications, such as high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.

3 game-changing sleep apnea treatments

Traditional sleep apnea treatment often involves using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

While a CPAP can be effective, many people find it loud or cumbersome. The CPAP mask you wear at night may cause uncomfortable effects, like skin irritation or claustrophobia.

At Swinney Dental, we have three more comfortable appliances as alternatives to a CPAP machine:

Respire®
Silent Nite®
SomnoMed®

Once placed over your teeth, these customized devices reposition your jaw to keep your airway open. That said, they vary in particulars.

Respire may be ideal for mild to moderate sleep apnea symptoms.

Silent Nite is known for its flexible, thin design and focus on reduced snoring.

SomnoMed offers more options for jaw shifts, making it a versatile choice.

We can recommend your ideal device.

Making the most of your sleep apnea treatment

To get the most benefit from your sleep apnea treatment, follow your instructions on properly using your appliance, keeping it clean, and scheduling routine exams.

Meanwhile, consider lifestyle habits that improve sleep apnea symptoms, such as eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and sleeping on your side. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol can also help.

To learn more about effective sleep apnea treatments or get started with a custom appliance, call Swinney Dental today. You can also schedule an appointment using our convenient online booking feature.