Saint James, NYSleep Apnea
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea causes breathing to stop and restart repeatedly during sleep. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea, happens when the upper airway becomes blocked. You might notice loud snoring, wake up gasping, or feel tired even after a full night in bed.
At North Country Dental Care, Dr. Gregory Skrapits brings a background in sleep medicine to conversations about your symptoms and treatment options. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, a custom oral appliance may help keep your airway open while you sleep. We’ll take time to understand your concerns and work with your medical provider to make sure your care is based on an accurate diagnosis.
The benefits of oral appliance therapy
Comfortable, custom fit
A sleep appliance is made to fit your mouth and is adjusted with your comfort in mind.
Easier to take along
The small, portable appliance can travel with you, making it easier to stay consistent with treatment away from home.
Support for better sleep
By helping keep your airway open, an oral appliance may reduce breathing interruptions so you can get more restful sleep.
The sleep apnea treatment process
1. Conversation and evaluation
We’ll ask about your sleep concerns, review your health history, and examine your teeth and jaw. If you haven’t received a sleep apnea diagnosis, we’ll guide you toward a medical provider who can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether a sleep study is needed.
2. Personalized appliance
If you and your medical provider decide oral appliance therapy is appropriate, we’ll create an appliance fitted to your mouth. It supports your jaw in a position that helps keep your airway open while you sleep.
3. Adjustments and follow-up
We’ll check the fit, make adjustments as needed, and help you care for your appliance. Follow-up with your medical provider helps determine how well treatment is working, while our team continues to support the fit and comfort of your appliance.
