Sleep Apnea

Does your partner complain about your loud snoring?

The American Sleep Apnea Association estimates that about 90 million people snore. About half these people experience what we call simple snoring. But for others, excessive snoring is an indication of a severe sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA.

For the past 30 years or so, the non-surgical treatment for severe sleep apnea has been a CPAP mask. Unfortunately, many patients resist using the mask because they find it too bulky and uncomfortable to wear during sleep.

At Hollywood Smile Dental, we have a better way; if you have been diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea, you will be pleased to know that Dr. Yefim Khanimov offers a more straightforward solution using a comfortable, customized oral device.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

When you sleep, the muscles in your tongue, jaw, and throat relax. This causes your tongue to fall backward, constricting your airway and preventing oxygen from moving freely from the nose and mouth to the lungs. You stop breathing, and your body has to wake itself up to restart breathing and restore oxygen levels.

Sleep apnea occurs when your normal sleep is interrupted because there isn’t enough oxygen in the blood. For some patients, these episodes can occur hundreds of times a night, and patients with severe sleep apnea may actually stop breathing for minutes at a time.

Studies show that getting adequate sleep is essential for your mental and physical health. If chronic snoring or sleep apnea goes untreated, you are at a higher risk for heart disease, heart attack, anxiety, hypertension, diabetes, and fatigue-related accidents.

What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

Some typical symptoms of sleep apnea are:

  • Loud or excessive snoring
  • Choking or gasping for air during sleep
  • Feeling tired or groggy upon awakening
  • Poor concentration
  • Irritability

How Do You Treat Sleep Apnea?

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, we will refer you to a sleep physician who will arrange a sleep study test for you. A sleep study involves monitoring your vital signs while you sleep to determine the severity of your sleep apnea and decide the most appropriate treatment.

Patients with severe sleep apnea will still likely require a CPAP mask. But if your condition is mild to moderate, Dr. Khanimov can customize an oral device that has been approved for use by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The appliance moves your lower jaw slightly forward, which holds your airway open so that you can breathe normally through the night.

Please Call for a Consultation

If you suspect you may be suffering from sleep apnea, please call our Rego Park dental office to arrange a consultation. Dr. Khanimov will review your medical history, lifestyle habits, and perform some tests to determine your risk factors.

You can be confident that we will work with you to find the solution that allows you to sleep comfortably and get the rest your body needs.