Dr. Elizabeth Duling is a Diplomate with the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM). She has the advanced training and skills to perform screenings for sleep disorders. Dr. Duling can also treat sleep apnea in her Owens Cross Roads, AL office. Her goal is to always help restore patients’ oral health with comprehensive care.
Treating sleep apnea can restore your health and wellness through improved sleep and significantly lower your risk of developing other systemic health concerns. Dr. Duling’s unique and personalized approach to your needs is the foundation for a successful treatment plan. She is a sleep-trained dentist who can help you resolve sleep apnea symptoms and associated TMJ pain.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that occurs when the soft tissues in the back of the throat collapse. When this occurs, the tissues temporarily block the airway. The number of times you experience apneic events, or breathing pauses, will determine your apnea severity. As little as five and as many as 20 to 30 episodes can occur.
When you stop and start breathing at night, you experience lower blood oxygen levels, which strain the heart. As a result, OSA can also worsen symptoms of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Several common risk factors can increase the risk of sleep apnea. Awareness of them and your health condition is the key to prompt and effective treatment. These can include:
- Diabetes
- Overweight or obese
- Smoking or using tobacco
- Males over 40
- Older age
- A larger neck circumference
- Narrow airway
Genetics can increase the risk of problems like sleep apnea. For example, a family history of diabetes, obesity, and aspects like neck circumference can contribute to sleep apnea.
Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea manifests through these symptoms:
- Snoring
- Insomnia
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood changes
- Breaks in breathing
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Excessive sleepiness during the day
- Chronic morning headaches
- Grinding teeth at night
If you or a loved one has noticed any of these sleep apnea symptoms, please contact our dental office for an appointment. Dr. Duling will take diagnostic X-rays and digital images to help determine the right treatment. Her modern technology allows her to view dental structures. Then, she can formulate a plan based on her findings.
These symptoms aren’t something you should ever ignore. Daytime sleepiness due to sleep apnea can impact your performance at work and school and lead to workplace or car accidents. If obstructive sleep apnea goes untreated, there can be serious consequences, including death. Sleep apnea is linked to an increased risk of heart problems, diabetes, and strokes. Pauses in breathing can lead to a lack of oxygen to the heart.
These pauses in breathing are also not ideal for the brain. If you go without oxygen for periods, your brain may not get enough oxygen either.
Is Snoring and Sleep Apnea The Same?
No, snoring and sleep apnea are different. Snoring is the sound of air passing by relaxed tissues in the throat, while sleep apnea occurs when tissues block the airway. Snoring does not immediately indicate a breathing problem, but it is a common sign of sleep apnea.
How We Treat Sleep Apnea
Dr. Duling can identify patients possibly at risk for a sleep disorder. She will look for other oral signs that there may be a sleep problem, evaluate your jaw structure and airway, and look for other signs, such as damaged or flat teeth. Many patients also grind their teeth, leading to these concerns.
After your sleep apnea screening, we may recommend a sleep study. At-home sleep studies or lab studies will determine how often you snore and stop breathing during sleep. A medical professional may also measure eye and leg movement, heart rate, and blood pressure.
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, you will return to our office for treatment. Typically, we use oral appliance therapy to treat sleep apnea. The appliance repositions the jaw so that the airway isn’t obstructed while you’re sleeping. This treats mild to moderate sleep apnea symptoms.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines are the traditional treatment for sleep apnea. They deliver oxygen through the airway to keep it open. However, CPAP machines are best for moderate to severe symptoms. In addition, these machines are bulky, loud, and uncomfortable. If you are a candidate, we will recommend a custom sleep apnea appliance. We will also recommend this treatment if you cannot tolerate a CPAP.
In addition to treatment, we may recommend lifestyle changes, if applicable, to reduce your symptoms:
- Quit smoking
- Limit caffeine and alcohol
- Lose weight
- Avoid sleeping on your back
- Treat nasal congestion
The Sleep Apnea and the TMD Connection
TMJ disorders are bite disorders often caused by injury or imbalance to the temporomandibular joints. However, a small airway can also increase the risk of TMD and sleep apnea. Dr. Duling will evaluate your jaw, bite, and airway to determine if TMJ is linked to your sleep apnea.
Oral appliances can also help with TMJ disorders and their symptoms. Appliances bring the lower jaw forward to relieve jaw pain and discomfort and keep the airway open.
An uneven bite is one of the top causes of TMJ disorders. Repositioning the jaw can help you find relief from the pain and tension of TMJ. We may recommend restorations if you clench and grind your teeth and have tooth damage. Dental crowns and bonding treatment can also fix chipped, cracked, and worn teeth. A balanced bite can reduce the risk of teeth clenching and grinding.
Schedule a Dental Sleep Consultation Today
Treat obstructive sleep apnea in Owens Cross Roads, AL, with oral appliance treatment and restorative care. We custom-tailor treatment to each patient.
Call our dental office at 256.202.4186 or schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Duling on our website. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to meeting you!