Sleep Dentists in Denver, CO
Does your partner complain about your excessive snoring? Do you wake up feeling tired, even after a good night’s sleep? Everyone snores occasionally, but if you’re snoring all the time and losing sleep, you may be suffering from what's known as sleep disordered breathing, which can include sleep apnea. Many patients who have sleep apnea and have struggled with using a CPAP mask find relief using a customized oral appliance available at our dentist office in Denver, CO.
Properly known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), sleep apnea occurs when your normal sleep is interrupted because there's not enough oxygen in the blood. If you have OSA, you actually stop breathing in your sleep, and your body wakes itself up to restart breathing and restore oxygen levels. Incredibly, some sleep apnea patients experience episodes as often as one hundred times per hour!
The traditional nonsurgical treatment for sleep apnea is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP. This is administered through a facial or nasal mask during sleep.
However, sleep apnea patients often complain of discomfort when using the mask, and others simply don’t like wearing the mask because they find it restricting and uncomfortable. The real problem occurs when patients put their health in jeopardy by not using the device regularly or by giving up on it entirely.
Simple, Effective Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea needs to be addressed as quickly as possible because the condition can lead to serious health complications. Diabetes, heart disease, and stroke are just a few of the severe health risks associated with untreated sleep apnea.
The first step is to find out if your snoring is associated with sleep apnea. Our Cherry Creek Denver dentists will recommend a home sleep study to get a better understanding of your problem. Sleep studies can be conducted at your home, but in some cases, our dentists in Denver may refer you to a physician to conduct a hospital-based study. If you’ve already been diagnosed with sleep apnea, we will work with your doctor to make sure that an alternative to CPAP is appropriate for you.
If we find that you have mild to moderate sleep apnea, you may benefit from a custom-made oral device that allows you to breathe normally and eliminates the need for use of the CPAP mask. This simple appliance opens up your airway and allows you to breathe freely, which reduces snoring so you and your partner can both get a good night’s sleep. No two sleep apnea patients are alike, and we will customize your device to meet your specific needs.
Contact Our Denver, CO Dentist Office for A Better Night's Sleep!
Sleep disordered breathing is upsetting and annoying for both sleep apnea patients and their partners. It can also be a scary experience when you suffer from loud snoring and wake yourself up multiple times a night because you're trying to catch your breath.
Your first step toward relief is to give our dentist office in Denver a call at (303) 777-8850 to arrange a consultation with Dr. Litvak or Dr. Woller. At that time, we’ll talk about any symptoms you’re experiencing and your options for treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sleep apnea is a common issue for adults around the US. Knowing whether or not you have sleep apnea can be hard. Most of the patient's symptoms could have to be reported by someone else because they are asleep and often cannot tell if they are exhibiting them.
The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
If you suspect you might be suffering from sleep apnea, here are some of the symptoms you might look for:
- Tired or sore throat in the morning when you wake
- Interruptions in your breathing pattern while sleeping, sometimes upwards of twenty seconds long
- Waking at night from choking or shortness of breath
- You are always tired, regardless of time spent sleeping
- Headaches when you wake
This is not an exhaustive list of the symptoms that may present with a case of sleep apnea.
Testing for Sleep Apnea
Testing for sleep apnea requires visiting a specialist, who will recommend a test. Depending on the test, at-home versions may be available. Otherwise, it will take place at a sleep center, where devices can monitor information about the quality of the patient's sleep, including monitoring their activity levels, amount of deep sleep, and breathing patterns.
Using the data gathered, sleep dentists can determine if a patient has sleep apnea and what kind.
Schedule Treatment with Our Sleep Dentists in Denver
How can your local Denver, CO dentist help? If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, we may be able to help. Using specialized dental appliances that help support your airways and keep them open, we may be able to help you sleep better and stay healthy.
Litvak & Woller Esthetic Comprehensive Dentistry is here to help with your sleep apnea treatment.
If you have questions about how we can help you control your sleep apnea or would like to schedule a consultation with our sleep dentist, contact us today!
Meet Our Doctors:
Clifford S. Litvak MS, DDS
Dr. Clifford S. Litvak, a comprehensive restorative dentist, graduated with honors from the University of Colorado School Of Dental Medicine in 1981. In addition to working in private practice in the Denver area for the ...
James R. Woller DDS
Dr. Jim Woller believes in a relationship-based, teamwork approach to dentistry. His goal is to help every patient achieve his or her health goals no matter how simple or complex they may be.
Dr. Woller was ...