Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep-breathing disorder characterized by breathing pauses that occur multiple times per hour during the night and are caused by a blocked or partially blocked airway.
The interrupted breathing can result in reduced oxygen flow that, in turn, causes micro-awakenings that have a severe impact on quality sleep and overall health. An estimated 22 million Americans suffer from the condition, and 80 percent of suspected cases remain undiagnosed.
Untreated sleep apnea contributes to an increased risk of drowsy driving, workplace incidents, and serious health conditions such as stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and many more.
What is the answer?
Traditionally, the only solution to treating Sleep Apnea had been to use a CPAP machine which is a noisy machine that plugs in and helps the patient breathe all night long. There are several parts.
One part is the machine that will have to be on the nightstand and the second part is the mask which fits over the patient’s nose and sometimes both the nose and mouth.
It is difficult to keep it clean and mask parts need replacing every couple of months. Plus a CPAP is simply not comfortable and very easy for patients to just quit using.
Here at Campustown Dental we are fortunate to have a doctor that has dedicated a lot of time to this field. Dr. Rebecca Metzger has achieved the status of Diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), the only non-profit professional association dedicated exclusively to the practice of dental sleep medicine.
Dr. Metzger helps treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy, an effective treatment that is covered by most insurance plans.
There is now an easier way to treat Sleep Apnea and it does not involve machinery
We can create a dental appliance that positions the jaw so the patient’s airway stays open while they sleep. When Sleep Apnea occurs, the tongue usually falls back and constricts the airway. The dental appliance positions the jaw in a way that prevents this and keeps the airway clear. With these simple appliances, they are able to breathe freely throughout the night and get the right amount of oxygen, without being interrupted while they sleep.
Dental appliances are becoming more popular for treating Sleep Apnea because they are not bulky and are comfortable to wear. These appliances work well in mild to moderate Sleep Apnea, but may not be the best solution for severe cases. Vast majority of Sleep Apnea patients, however, can be treated with dental appliances.
Need Sleep Apnea Treatment in Ames, Iowa?
Dr. Rebecca J. Metzger is highly skilled to effectively treating sleep apnea through the application of a compact dental appliance. This extremely comfortable and innovative tool devised by Dr. Rebecca J. Metzger and her team helps to reduce the discomforts of the conventional treatments of sleep apnea.
