First step after Dr. Phillips’ exam is, an at home sleep study to diagnosis your condition. The testing is done in the comfort of your own home. Usually takes one to two days for results.
Please click here and download our snoring and sleep apnea assessment.
Sleep Apnea occurs when you stop breathing for 10 seconds or more while sleeping. It is a condition which can be quite serious if left untreated.
Contact our office for a consultation so you can finally achieve the good night sleep you deserve.
The most common treatment for sleep apnea is the CPAP machine. It is outfitted with a large facial mask that forces air down the patients airway as they sleep. CPAP is very effective in treating the problem. One thing patients may not like is the bulkiness of the mask it can be uncomfortable to sleep with on their face and is noisy. Patients may become frustrated with the machine and stop using it. This can be serious if not treated. The other option is Dr. Phillips can have a custom made oral appliance made as a effective alternative.
If Left Untreated Sleep Apnea Can Increase The Risk Of:
Oral appliance therapy is designed to comfortably reposition the jaw so that the airway no longer becomes blocked during rest. This allows the oxygen to flow freely. These appliances are comfortable, convenient to store. It’s very easy to travel with. Patients are more likely to use this oral appliance. Oral appliance therapy is best suited for patients with mild to moderate cases of (OSA) Obstructed Sleep Apnea.
Without the proper quality of rest your health could decline over time. That’s why Dr. Phillips is committed to treating his patients sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. If you have more questions about sleep apnea and treatment don’t hesitate to contact our Fort Worth office.
Snoring can be an indicator of sleep apnea, but that is not always the case. To find out if you have sleep apnea, you should complete a sleep study.
Sleep apnea occurs when excess soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses and covers up the airway opening while a patient is asleep, causing them to stop breathing briefly. Risk factors for sleep apnea include obesity, having a congenitally narrow airway, chronic congestion, family history and smoking, among others. Men tend to face a greater risk, and age may be an influential factor as well.
We will continue to see you for follow-up visits after you receive the oral appliance, and Dr. Phillips will re-assess the severity of your sleep apnea symptoms and may recommend an additional sleep study to measure treatment success.
As with any new dental appliance, patients may experience some minor discomfort when they first start wearing a sleep apnea appliance. However, that should resolve within days or up to a week or two at the most. Wearing the appliance consistently will help you adapt to it more quickly. If the discomfort persists, contact our office to have the appliance adjusted.