28
Nov
Wake up to hassle-free sleep apnea treatment at the dentist’s office: FAQs about oral appliance therapy.
At Manchester Dental, Dr. Abel Aguilar treats not only those obvious dental problems (such as severe toothache). However, he also has the expertise and onsite capabilities to treat conditions not as commonly associated with dentistry. Notably, Dr. Aguilar can help put persistent fatigue and frequent headaches to rest finally and can help patients avoid cardiovascular problems and other serious complications associated with untreated sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common SDBs, and our team in Manchester, Georgia, may restore healthy breathing and sleep with custom oral appliances that are easy to wear, maintain, and transport.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea refers to a loss of breath or pauses in breathing during sleep. What generally happens is that as patients relax, the tissues in their throats may follow suit. These tissues may collapse and block the flow of air. Sensing that the airway is blocked, the brain panics and sends a sudden message to wake the patient with a start. This process can happen hundreds of times each night. So, patients are unable to stay asleep.
For this reason, they frequently feel fatigued. They are at increased risk of accidents on the job or the road. Additionally, sleep apnea is a serious disorder because it interferes with the proper oxygenation of tissues and organs. Chronic oxygen deprivation is further associated with cognitive decline, hypertension and heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, mood disorders, and liver problems.
What do you mean by custom oral appliances for sleep apnea?
Any device worn in the mouth may be called an “oral appliance.” Appliances for snoring, sleep apnea, and related conditions come in numerous designs. Your specific design or most appropriate oral appliance depends on your needs and diagnosis. Whatever the case, your appliance will be custom-fitted to your mouth. For example, we may use impressions or models of your mouth to create a mandibular advancement device. Once completed, you simply slip the MAD into your mouth before bed. This appliance then advances or moves the lower jaw or mandible forward. Such repositioning helps support healthy breathing and rest, as the tissues do not block the airway once they relax.
Call our office for more information
New Patients:
(706) 981-6272 | Existing Patients:
(706) 846-2273
Request an Appointment
Is an oral appliance right for me?
Possibly! The first step is to get an appropriate diagnosis. The type and degree of your sleep-disordered breathing are among the variables that determine the recommended course of treatment. Generally, oral appliance therapy presents a low-risk, affordable, and hassle-free alternative to aggressive surgery or CPAP therapy, which has a low compliance rate. With our custom oral appliances, there is no noisy machine to connect to, nor do you have to wear an uncomfortable mask while sleeping. Our devices at Manchester Dental are lightweight, easy to adjust to, highly portable, and do not require extensive maintenance.
If you are concerned about unexplained fatigue or other potential symptoms of sleep apnea, we encourage you to call our team in Manchester, GA, today at (706) 981-6272.
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Dr. Abel Aguilar
Dr. Abel Aguilar is a seasoned dentist with over 20 years of experience providing advanced and affordable dental care in Manchester and Meriwether County. He earned his Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and holds dual Master’s degrees in Public Health and Business Administration. Committed to continuous learning and improvement, Dr. Aguilar enhances his expertise through training at the Pankey Institute and ongoing education with Spear Education. A former Army Captain, he expertly combines state-of-the-art technology with a compassionate, patient-centered approach, ensuring trustworthy and comprehensive care for the entire family.