Sleep Apnea

Do you snore?  Does someone you know snore?  If so, please continue to read, it can mean there is a serious underlying health issue called sleep apnea or sleep disordered breathing.

What is Sleep Apnea:  Sleep apnea is a common condition, affecting 1 in 15 Americans, where the airway collapses and the person stops breathing for a period of time of up to 30 times per hour.  People with this condition are at higher risk of heart disease and other health conditions and can occur in men, woman and children.

The most common sign that a person suffers from sleep apnea is snoring and it is often first noticed by the spouse or partner of the snorer.

If you or someone you know has any of the following conditions, sleep apnea could be the cause:

  • Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
  • Snoring
  • Gasping for breath while sleeping
  • Headaches
  • Frequent urination during the night
  • Depression and irritability
  • Gastric Reflux

People who are overweight or have large necks are more likely to have sleep apnea

What are the health concerns for people with sleep apnea?

  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease / Heart Attack
  • Stroke
  • GERD

What can be done if I have sleep apnea?

  • CPAP/PAP – positive airway pressure devices
  • Surgery
  • Body Position modification
  • Oral Devices

Why see a dentist to diagnose and treat sleep apnea?

One of the simplest and sometimes most effective way to treat sleep apnea are oral devices that are worn while sleeping.  Specially trained dentists, like Dr Robert Kenyon at our Urbana Office, can conduct an in-office evaluation of the airway and if appropriate, conduct an in-home overnight sleep study.  The study is then evaluated to determine the best course of treatment.  Sometimes the best option is CPAP/PAP or surgery, but if the patient can be treated with body position modification or an oral device, those options are preferable, both from a comfort level and also from a cost perspective. 

PearlFection Dentistry is offering in-office airway evaluations free of charge in the month of October.  This study utilizes an instrument called an acoustic pharyngometer.  This pain free and noninvasive procedure, uses soundwaves to measure your airway.  We will evaluate the patient and determine if an overnight sleep study is required.   Once the study is completed and evaluated, our doctors will meet with the patient again to determine the best course of action.

Please call our office at (301) 831-8303 to schedule your no cost airway evaluation or visit our website to learn more: http://www.pearlfectionurbana.com/snoring-sleep-apnea.html

 

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

PearlFection Dentistry

Monday:

8:00 am-8:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-8:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

By Appointment

Sunday:

Closed

Our Location

60 Thomas Johnson Dr, Suite 1 Frederick, MD, 21702