Undiagnosed sleep apnea can take its toll on your breathing, causing myriad health problems ranging from cognitive impairment and depression to hypertension and diabetes. Airway management can help patients of nearly any age who suffer from an obstructed airway due to issues such as loose tissues in the throat, jaw development problems, or a variety of other factors. Here’s how.
The Dangers of Untreated Sleep Disorders
Failure to treat sleep disorders like sleep apnea can do far more damage than simply making you feel tired. In children, upper airway problems may cause them to pause breathing while sleeping, wet the bed, and develop behavioral issues while at school or home.
In adults, symptoms can range from snoring and tiredness, sleep apnea, mood swings, sexual dysfunction, and even high blood pressure.
Airway Management from Your Dentist
There are several ways your dentist may choose to provide you with safe, effective airway management care. These include:
- The Vivos system for sleep apnea utilizes a removable appliance that expands your palate and trains your lower jaw to rest in its proper position. Though treatment may take up to two years to complete, many patients notice results within the first few weeks! After completion you could also experience a drastic reduction in your sleep apnea symptoms.
- QuietNite laser treatment uses a laser to tighten the loose tissues in your throat and stimulate the production of collagen. Some periodic touch-up treatments may be needed to maintain your results.
- Braces, clear aligners, or other orthodontic equipment may be recommended to bring your oral structures into balance while it reduces airway problems during sleep.
- In certain situations, you may benefit from surgical intervention, such as correcting a deviated septum or jaw issue.
Remember, airway management can help improve your quality of life by helping you breathe better while you sleep, but that’s just the beginning. Improving issues related to untreated sleep apnea or other respiration problems can help lower your risk of life-threatening conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression. To learn more about how airway management can help you, speak to your sleep dentist today!
About Dr. Teasdale
Dr. Russell Teasdale earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Washington University in St. Louis and has since amassed thousands of hours of continuing education through prestigious organizations like Spear Education. He has taken a special interest in a diverse range of topics from TMJ dysfunction to occlusion and even airway management. He also graduated from the United States Dental Institute in Orthodontics in 1994 and is a current Fellow of the Academy of Minimally Invasive Dentistry. He also holds a Fellowship at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies and is an active member of the VIVOS Institute. To schedule a consultation for airway management at Evolution Dental, please visit our website today, or call us at 503-974-3829.