Airway prosthodontics is concerned with the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that many Americans suffer from night after night. Coulon Watts is pleased to offer a treatment option that may be ideal for patients who suffer from sleep apnea.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Sleep apnea is a condition that refers to constant or frequent interruption of your breathing during sleep due to obstruction of your upper airway. The muscles in your mouth and throat may become too relaxed, narrowing your airway and preventing you from getting the oxygen you need to breathe normally.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you know that it is more than a mere annoyance. Sleep apnea is dangerous; when you cannot get the rest you require, you are unable to focus and perform your daily activities, especially tasks like driving.
On a more disturbing note, this condition can contribute to severe health issues, such as: heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, or heart attack. Treatment of sleep apnea is essential for maintaining total wellness as well as your ability to function on a daily basis.
Signs You May Suffer From Sleep Apnea
Many people snore. However, if your snoring is chronic and interrupts your sleep, you may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. If you awake frequently during the night due to a cough or snort, this is also a common sign of sleep apnea. Your body may be waking you because it is not getting enough oxygen as you snooze.
We Can Help
As your trusted Midland, Texas dentists, we can treat your sleep apnea. Due to years of experience both diagnosing and treating this condition, we take it very seriously.
Before we determine whether airway prosthodontics can treat your OSA, we will collaborate with you to explore the causes of your condition. We will also examine the anatomy of your mouth and throat and even analyze your posture to ensure your treatment is directed to the core cause.
For children, we take extra care during routine exams to examine their oral anatomy. If we see signs of a developing problem, we can take certain measures to ensure that their growth and development stays on a healthy course.
Treatment Options
Depending on the cause of your OSA, there are a variety of options for treatment. If your upper airway is blocked by too much tissue, we can realign your jaw. We can also prescribe and design a dental appliance for you to wear during sleep that will maintain an open airway. The treatment chosen will be one that treats the root cause and helps you rest easily— contributing to your overall health.
Our dentists believe that your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body. The idea that a simple dental appliance can help you get the rest you require and, in turn, prevent more serious ailments fulfills our vision for Coulon Watts: total wellness through treatment of oral health issues.
To learn more about treatment for OSA or about airway prosthodontics, please call us today.
