Sleep Apnea
At City Creek Dental, we believe that a healthy smile is just one part of your overall well-being. Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for your health, energy, and quality of life. If you or your partner struggles with loud snoring, daytime fatigue, or has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), our team is here to help. Dr. Winegar offers custom sleep apnea dental devices right here in Temple, TX, providing a comfortable, effective alternative to bulky CPAP machines.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder, occurring when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much during sleep, causing your airway to narrow or close completely. This leads to repeated pauses in breathing, which can last for several seconds up to dozens of times an hour.
Every time your breathing stops, your brain briefly wakes you up to reopen your airway. While you might not remember waking up, these constant interruptions can significantly impact your sleep quality. Left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Many people have sleep apnea and don’t even know it. You might want to schedule a consultation with a sleep apnea dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
For many years, the standard treatment for sleep apnea has been a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. While CPAP therapy is highly effective, many patients find the masks uncomfortable, the machines noisy, and the hoses restrictive. If you have mild to moderate sleep apnea and cannot tolerate a CPAP machine, an oral appliance for sleep apnea might be the perfect solution.
A sleep apnea mouthguard – often called a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) – looks and fits much like a sports mouthguard or an orthodontic retainer, but is custom-made for your mouth.
The device works by gently shifting your lower jaw forward while you sleep. This slight forward movement prevents the soft tissues in your throat and the base of your tongue from collapsing backward, keeping your airway open and unobstructed all night long.
Benefits of a Sleep Apnea Dental Device
Choosing an oral appliance for your snoring treatment and sleep apnea care offers several distinct advantages:
| Feature | Custom Oral Appliance | Traditional CPAP Machine |
|---|---|---|
|
Comfort |
Custom-fitted to your teeth; no masks or straps |
Requires wearing a mask over the nose/mouth |
|
Noise Level |
Completely silent |
Machine motor and airflow can be noisy |
|
Portability |
Small, pocket-sized, and easy to travel with |
Requires carrying a machine and finding power outlets |
|
Maintenance |
Easy to clean with a toothbrush and water |
Requires regular cleaning of hoses, masks, and water chambers |
|
Compliance |
High patient compliance due to comfort |
Many patients abandon use due to discomfort |
Getting fitted for a sleep apnea device is a simple, non-invasive process. During your visit to our Temple, TX office, we will evaluate your oral health, discuss your sleep apnea diagnosis, and determine if an oral appliance is the right fit for you.
If you are a good candidate, we will take precise digital impressions of your teeth. These impressions are sent to a specialized dental laboratory where your custom device is crafted. Once it’s ready, you’ll return to our office so we can ensure the fit is perfect and comfortable.
In many cases, yes! Because sleep apnea is a medical condition, oral appliance therapy is often covered by medical insurance rather than dental insurance. Our team will gladly help you navigate your benefits to maximize your coverage and minimize out-of-pocket costs.
While a dentist cannot officially diagnose sleep apnea, we play a crucial role in the treatment process. Diagnosis requires a sleep study interpreted by a sleep medicine physician. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, we can guide you on the next steps for getting tested. If you already have a diagnosis, we can work directly with your physician to provide an oral appliance.
Most patients adapt to their new sleep apnea mouthguard within a few nights to a couple of weeks. You might experience some mild jaw soreness or extra saliva production initially, but these minor side effects typically resolve quickly as your mouth gets used to the appliance.
Yes! Because snoring is caused by the vibration of narrowed airway tissues, keeping the airway open with a dental device is highly effective at reducing or completely eliminating snoring. Your partner will likely thank you!
You don’t have to choose between restless nights and an uncomfortable CPAP mask. Let Dr. Winegar help you find a comfortable, effective solution. Contact City Creek Dental today to schedule a consultation and discover how a custom sleep apnea device can change your life.