Sleep Apnea (or repeated stopped breathing while asleep) may currently be one of the most under-diagnosed and severe impairments. The consequences are grave. High blood pressure, cardiovascular complications, memory problems, weight gain, impotency and headaches are a few of the sleep apnea related issues. People often are unaware of sleep apnea even though breathing stops hundreds of times a minute a night, many times for over a minute.
Those fortunate enough to be diagnosed have a treatment protocol including a CPAP or BiPap machine. Compliance is a problem. The forced breathing apparatus works but patients simply refuse to use it. Reasons vary but may include the need to sleep on their backs, the mask leaking unless closely bound (leaving facial marks), allergic reactions to mask material, noise disturbing partners sleep, sensation of drowning or claustrophobia when using machine, and/or angst associated the with need to be attached to a machine at night.
There are two main types of sleep apnea, Obstructive occurs when the throat muscles relax, Central occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles controlling breathing. Complex sleep apnea is a combination of the Obstructive and Central forms.
Dr. Jon Frankel recently attended a continuing education course in advanced diagnostics and 3 D Cone Beam Radiology. The Cone Beam equipment at Dr. Frankel’s office offers a view of the airway from several angles. Many patients are totally unaware their airway is constricted or that they may have sleep apnea. The technology at Dr. Frankel’s office allows patients to not only detect but treat sleep apnea.
Dr. Frankel now offers an alternative to traditional CPAP and BiPap treatment. The Moses Oral Appliance is FDA approved. Acceptance is high as the “Moses” simply fits in the mouth over the teeth and dilates the airway allowing unobstructed breathing. Home sleep studies have confirmed the Moses Oral Appliance efficacy.
Call Jon Frankel Dentistry for a consultation, 419-474-9611.
