Sleep Apnea Testing
Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to living our busy lives. Many of our patients suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which can pose significant health risks if left untreated. If you are struggling to get restful sleep, Midtown Dental offers sleep apnea screening to help identify potential concerns. If you’re unable to find your blissful sleep, visit Midtown Dental and schedule your screening today.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Screening
If you believe you may suffer from sleep apnea, Midtown Dental offers screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). When left untreated, this medical condition can pose significant health risks, including heart attack and stroke and has been associated with a reduced lifespan of up to 15 years. OSA can also cause daily fatigue and negatively affect mood and overall quality of life. By addressing this condition, many patients experience meaningful improvements in their well-being—and have more reason to smile.
As dentists, we often observe physical signs associated with OSA, such as excessive tooth wear from clenching and grinding, as well as changes to the soft tissues of the mouth. OSA is also a major concern in children; if left undiagnosed or untreated, it can significantly impact facial growth and development. For this reason, we screen for OSA in our dental practice and may administer an overnight sleep study when appropriate. We work closely with sleep physicians to obtain a formal diagnosis and then discuss suitable treatment options with our patients.
Treatment Options
There are two primary treatment modalities used to effectively manage Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA):
- CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) has traditionally been the industry standard and is commonly prescribed through licensed sleep clinics. While CPAP therapy is highly effective, many patients find the equipment bulky, noisy and inconvenient—particularly when traveling. As a result, long-term CPAP compliance (consistent patient use) is lower than expected. Many individuals are diagnosed, invest in the device, but struggle to use it regularly, leaving their OSA insufficiently treated.
- The second option is a Mandibular Repositioning Appliance, also known as a Mandibular Advancement Appliance. This device is similar in appearance to a night guard and works by repositioning the lower jaw forward to help keep the airway open during sleep. This option generally has higher patient compliance, and some individuals who use CPAP will still rely on this appliance while traveling. Traditionally, however, mandibular appliances have been prescribed using a “trial-and-error” approach, which has led to mixed opinions within the medical community regarding their predictability.
At Midtown Dental, we use the Zephyr® system, which is unique in that it allows us to test a patient’s response to mandibular advancement before treatment begins. By gently adjusting jaw positioning with a diagnostic test appliance, we can determine whether the patient responds positively and identify the exact jaw position needed to effectively treat their OSA. This approach allows our clinicians to proceed with a much higher level of confidence in treatment success.
Further Information
Sleep Apnea Awareness
Sleep apnea can be difficult to identify on your own, as many of the most common symptoms occur while you are sleeping. Asking a partner to observe your sleep habits or recording yourself while you sleep may help determine whether you experience pauses in breathing, snoring followed by choking or gasping, or other irregular patterns. These symptoms may indicate the presence of sleep apnea.
Major Warning Signs Include:
- Loud, disruptive and chronic nightly snoring
- Choking, snorting, or gasping during sleep
- Extended pauses or breaks in breathing
- Waking up at night feeling short of breath
- Persistent daytime fatigue, regardless of how long you sleep
Additional Symptoms May Include:
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Frequent nighttime awakenings, insomnia, or restless sleep
- Frequent trips to the bathroom during the night
- Difficulty concentrating or forgetfulness
- Increased moodiness, irritability, or depression
- Morning headaches
- Impotence
Many people wonder whether they are experiencing sleep apnea or simply loud snoring. One of the key differences is how you feel the next day. While regular snoring may be disruptive, it typically does not affect sleep quality to the same extent as sleep apnea. Individuals with sleep apnea are far more likely to experience excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue.
Causes and Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
Anyone can develop sleep apnea; however, you may have a higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea if you are:
- Overweight, male, or have a family history of sleep apnea
- Over the age of 50, a smoker, or affected by high blood pressure
- Black, Hispanic, or Pacific Islander
- Someone with a neck circumference greater than 15.75 inches (40 cm)
Additional physical factors that may increase risk include a deviated septum, a receding chin, or enlarged tonsils. Sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes blocked or narrowed during sleep, often because the throat muscles relax more than normal. Allergies or medical conditions that cause nasal congestion or airway obstruction may also contribute.
Get an Assessment Today
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition. If you recognize any of these warning signs, we encourage you to contact our office to schedule an assessment.
Mandipular Repositioning Devices
At Midtown Dental, we use the Zephyr MATRx Plus system, which allows us to test a patient’s response to treatment before undergoing a costly or time-consuming process. The MATRx Plus is a home-based, patient-friendly, and easy-to-use device. It offers significant benefits by enabling an accredited sleep physician to confidently prescribe effective treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Sleep Hygiene – Do's and Don'ts
The most common cause of insomnia is a change in your daily routine. Traveling, shift work, changes in daily habits, or relationship stress can all disrupt sleep. Practicing good sleep hygiene is essential for maintaining restorative, healthy sleep.
The Do’s
- Go to bed at the same time every day.
- Get up at the same time every day.
- Exercise regularly, preferably in the morning. Research shows regular exercise improves sleep quality.
- Get exposure to outdoor or bright light, especially in the late afternoon.
- Keep your bedroom temperature comfortable.
- Keep the bedroom quiet.
- Make the bedroom dark enough to promote sleep.
- Use your bed only for sleep and sex.
- Take medications as prescribed. For sleeping pills, it is best to take them about one hour before bed to coincide with drowsiness, or 10 hours before waking to avoid daytime sleepiness.
- Practice relaxation techniques before bed, such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, visualization, massage, or a warm bath.
- Keep your hands and feet warm; consider wearing socks or gloves to bed.
The Don’ts
- Exercise just before bedtime.
- Engage in stimulating activities before bed, such as competitive games, exciting TV or movies, or heated discussions.
- Consume caffeine in the evening.
- Read or watch television in bed.
- Use alcohol to induce sleep.
- Go to bed overly hungry or too full.
- Take someone else’s sleeping medication.
- Use over-the-counter sleep aids without your doctor’s guidance. Medications such as diphenhydramine can cause serious side effects, particularly in older adults.
- Take daytime naps.
- Force yourself to sleep, as this increases alertness and frustration.
Tip: If you lie awake for more than 20–30 minutes, get up and go to another room or a different part of the bedroom. Engage in a quiet activity, then return to bed when you feel sleepy. Repeat as needed until you fall asleep.
Fact Sheets
Coming Soon!
- Sleep Apnea 101 (PDF)
- Sleep and High Blood pressure (PDF)
- Sleep and Diabetes (PDF)
- Sleep and Weight (PDF)
