Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep. An apnea refers to a period of time in which breathing has paused. This happens when muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open during breathing (obstructive sleep apnea) or when the brain fails to properly control breathing during sleep (central sleep apnea). Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type and affects over 18 million Americans, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
In extreme, an individual can experience an apnea up to 500 times in one night. This condition is serious and life-threatening, and leaving it untreated can result in a number of other life-threatening conditions such as heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeats, heart disease, high blood pressure, and decreased libido.
Your sleep apnea condition can be mild, moderate, or severe; no matter what your current condition is, Dr. Curtis will work hard to ensure you receive exceptional treatment. Our practice offers a variety of sleep apnea treatments, such as maxillomandibular advancement techniques and sleep appliance fabrication.
For maxillomandibular advancement, Dr. Curtis will reposition the bones of the upper and lower jaws to relieve airway obstruction. This procedure also increases soft tissue tension by suspending the pharyngeal airway muscles into an anterior position. It is excellent for patients with moderate to severe discomfort who are experiencing negative health conditions related to sleep apnea. This procedure has a high success rate of eliminating the disruption period of non-breathing during rest, and many patients claim that their facial appearance is improved after maxillomandibular advancement.
Sleep appliance fabrication is also offered at Upstate Oral Surgery & Dental Implants. For this treatment, Dr. Curtis will provide you with a custom-made oral appliance to use while you sleep, which will improve the quality of sleep and is an alternative to invasive surgery. This is good for treating mild sleep apnea cases.
Dr. Curtis cares about his patients and wants them to get a full, healthy night’s rest because, at Upstate Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, your health comes first. If you are experiencing any number of the following symptoms, we recommend calling our office to set up a consultation with Dr. Curtis:
Obstructive sleep apnea can be mild, moderate, or severe, and Dr. Curtis will closely evaluate your condition to determine which treatment is suitable for you. Typically, treatment is performed in the safety and comfort of our office under IV sedation. We strive to keep you informed every step of the way and explain the details of your procedure to you so that you feel calm and comfortable. If you are ready to get the healthy rest you deserve, or you are experiencing any number of the previously listed symptoms, please contact us to schedule an appointment or to ask questions about sleep apnea treatment.