If You Have Sleep Apnea, Then Sleep Dentistry May Be the Key to a Good Night’s Sleep
Does your snoring keep your partner awake? Do you feel tired after a good night’s rest and need to take a nap around 2 p.m.?
Then, you may have sleep apnea.
Sleep dentistry may be a good option if you haven’t had success with a CPAP machine or don’t want to go through a sleep test.
Why You Don’t Want to Ignore Your Sleep Apnea
For years, people have been told that sleep doesn’t matter—that you’re a harder worker when you live on less than five hours of sleep at night.
However, sleep experts have found that getting a good night’s rest helps you stay healthy. You’re at a higher risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, or stroke when you don’t get seven or more hours of sleep.
Poor sleep also leads to reduced concentration, daytime sleepiness, and slower thinking.
If you’ve been told that you snore and stop breathing for a few moments, you may have sleep apnea. Sleep dentistry may be for you if you suspect sleep apnea but don’t want to go through a sleep test.
Conversely, you may have a CPAP machine, but you’re having difficulty sleeping because your mask moves or you can’t get into a comfortable sleeping position. Then, it could benefit you to look into sleep dentistry with Dr. Michael Pechan.
Sleep dentistry is ideal for folks who have mild sleep apnea because it uses a mouthpiece called a mandibular repositioning device (MRD).
What You Need to Know About Sleep Dentistry
Dr. Pechan got his sleep dentistry training in 2018 from the International Academy of Sleep.
Dr. Pechan fits you with a mouthpiece called a mandibular repositioning device, which pushes your lower jaw forward, and prevents your tongue from pressing against your throat while you sleep. An MRD is less expensive and time-consuming than a traditional sleep test and CPAP machine.
Ask Dr. Pechan about an MRD, or you can get a sleep apnea test through your primary care physician. You don’t need a sleep test to get an MRD unless your dental insurance requires it.
Your tongue is a good indicator of sleep apnea. Dr. Pechan will ask you to stick out your tongue during a dental exam to calibrate your tongue’s size and length.
If you have a large tongue, it may push back against your throat during REM sleep, causing you to wake up and gasp for air, indicating sleep apnea.
The MRD device moves your lower jaw forward, which forces your tongue away from the back of your throat. You’ll start to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth while you sleep.
An MRD device isn’t the same as a mouth guard that you wear for teeth-grinding at night. Instead, the MRD pushes your lower jaw forward so you can breathe while you sleep.
HERE’S HOW
Sleep Dentistry Works
Dr. Pechan and His Staff Want You to Feel Confident in the Dentist Chair
Does the idea of going to the dentist frighten you? You can feel confident and comfortable when you go to Elite Boca Dental. The staff and Dr. Pechan create a calming atmosphere from the waiting room to the dentist’s chair. Dr. Pechan also stays up-to-date on the latest dental services, so you can go to one office to care for all your dental needs.
Dr. Pechan will answer all of your questions and show you what’s involved in your sleep dentistry procedure. Our dental hygienists will put you at ease before any treatment starts, ensuring you’re comfortable throughout the entire process.
Dr. Pechan also offers an oral health membership plan that makes dental procedures affordable if you don’t have dental insurance. If you’re ready for a better night’s sleep, then book your sleep dentistry appointment through Zocdoc today or use our contact form for more information!