SLEEP APNEA - OVERVIEW & FACTS

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common and serious sleep disorder which causes the cessation of breathing during sleep. The airway repeatedly becomes blocked, limiting the amount of air that reaches the lungs. When this happens, snoring or choking may result as it becomes more difficult to breathe. The brain and body become oxygen deprived and you may wake up. This can happen a few times a night, or in more severe cases, several hundred times a night.

NORMAL SLEEP

Normal breathing open airway, tongue relaxed (fallling slightly back)

SNORING

Snoring partially blocked airway. When the constricted airway causes vibration

OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Fully blocked airway

SLEEP APNEA SYMPTOMS

The most common symptom of sleep apnea is snoring. However, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Snoring is likely to be a sign of sleep apnea when it is followed by silent breathing pauses and choking or gasping sounds.

People with sleep apnea often have daytime sleepiness or fatigue.

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

Loud or frequent snoring
Extended pauses in breathing
Choking or gasping sounds
Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
Unrefreshing sleep
Insomnia
Morning headaches
Nocturia (waking during the night to go to the bathroom)
Difficulty concentrating
Memory loss
Decreased sexual desire
Irritability
Diabetes
High blood pressure

TREATMENT OPTIONS

For those that have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, usually the first line of treatment is the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machine. The issue that we are hearing with the CPAP machine is that people are not wearing them because the mask doesn't fit, or it is too uncomfortable to wear. Other common complaints are that the machine blows air into the eyes or the noise from the machine keeps patients and/or their partner awake. Because of these issues, many people stop using the CPAP machine, even though they are dealing with a life-threatening condition.

THE CPAP MACHINE

OUR CUSTOM ORAL DEVICE

DITCH THE MACHINE

START SLEEPING BETTER

Now there are a number of oral devices that are custom made for patients to wear during sleep that help keep the airway open allowing air to pass more freely. After it has been determined which level of sleep apnea a patient is living with and a simple oral exam, a dentist will determine which oral device is the best option for them. Even though this oral device is made through the dentist's office, most medical insurances and medicare will cover either part or all of the expenses for this treatment.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SOLUTIONS

Think you could benefit from a better night's sleep? Complete our Sleep Screening Questionnaire to learn more about your symptoms and to get in contact with our medical staff.

READY FOR A BETTER NIGHT'S SLEEP

SLEEP SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE

Let’s Get Virtual!

At Sleep Easy Dental Spa, we offer

Free Virtual Consultation,

No matter where you are.

Get Started Here

We Love Our Community

We are proud to be a part of Youngstown, OH and we enjoy supporting our neighbors outside of the treatment chair whenever possible! Dr. verbanic and the team regularly donate time and money to public schools, local food drives and pantries, the BackPack program, and more.

Get Involved with Us

RESERVE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY

We Love to serve you!

(Maximum characters: 250)You have characters left.

(330) 752-6226

Office Hours

Monday	8:00 AM	7:00 PM
Tuesday	8:00 AM	5:00 PM
Wednesday	8:00 AM	3:00 PM
Thursday	8:00 AM	7:00 PM
Friday	8:00 AM	5:00 PM
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed

Accessibility Menu

Keyboard Nav
Big Cursor
Dark Contrast
Light Contrast
Invert Colors
Desaturate
Increase Font
Decrease Font
Legible Font
Highlight Links
Zoom Page
Read Page
Reset All