More Than Just Snoring
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax excessively, causing an obstruction in your airway. This results in interrupted sleep, snoring, and daytime fatigue. At Lumière Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, we offer effective, non-invasive solutions to manage and treat sleep apnea, improving your sleep quality and overall health.
Who Needs Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Sleep apnea affects millions of people, though many may not realize they have it. If you snore loudly, wake up with a dry mouth or sore throat, or feel tired despite a full night’s sleep, you may be experiencing sleep apnea. Treatment is particularly important for those who suffer from daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or high blood pressure. At Lumière Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, we provide customized care tailored to your needs, offering treatments that promote better airflow and restore restful sleep.
Why Sleep Apnea Solutions Matter for Your Health
- Customized treatment plans based on your specific symptoms and needs
- Non-invasive devices, such as oral appliances, to improve airflow while you sleep
- Effective care that addresses sleep issues without the need for surgery
- Improved sleep quality, leading to better energy levels and overall health
Oral Appliance Therapy at Lumiere
For patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or those who can’t tolerate a CPAP machine, Dr. Mersh offers custom oral appliance therapy. The appliance is worn like a mouthguard during sleep and works by gently repositioning your lower jaw and tongue forward, holding your airway open so breathing stays steady through the night.
Unlike a CPAP machine, an oral appliance is small, quiet, and doesn’t require electricity or a mask, which makes it easier for many patients to wear consistently. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, untreated sleep apnea raises the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other serious health problems, so getting a workable treatment in place matters as much as getting any treatment at all.
Your Treatment Process
1. Consultation & Sleep History Review
Dr. Mersh discusses your symptoms and reviews any prior sleep study results.
2. Impressions & Custom Fitting
Precise impressions are taken to fabricate an appliance fitted to your bite.
3. Fit Check & Adjustments
We confirm comfort and effectiveness, adjusting the appliance as needed.
4. Ongoing Monitoring
Follow-up visits ensure your appliance continues to fit well and perform as intended.
Are You a Candidate?
Oral appliance therapy tends to work best for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and it’s often recommended for those who’ve tried CPAP but found it uncomfortable or difficult to use consistently. If you experience jaw tension alongside sleep apnea symptoms, it’s worth mentioning to Dr. Mersh during your visit, since airway and bite issues can overlap with concerns addressed through our TMJ treatment. A proper diagnosis typically starts with a sleep study, which your physician or a sleep specialist can arrange; once sleep apnea is confirmed, we can fit and monitor your oral appliance as part of your broader treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a dentist treat sleep apnea?
Is oral appliance therapy as effective as CPAP?
How long does it take to get used to the appliance?