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Everyone knows a good night’s sleep is vital, but it doesn’t always come easily. This is especially true for those who suffer from sleep apnea symptoms. In many cases, the link between sleep apnea and orthodontics is overlooked; One Love Orthodontics is here to change that and explain how we can provide help.
A Mysterious Condition
Any symptoms that manifest during sleep can be a bit tough to identify—in many cases, you’re waking up to the aftereffects of them. Sleep apnea is a common but potentially serious sleep disorder where breathing intermittently stops and starts throughout the night. It can badly disrupt your sleep quality and overall health.
Here are a few of the common symptoms we observe in sleep apnea patients:
- Loud, persistent snoring
- Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Regular morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating or memory issues
- Irritability and mood swings
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep
Variations by Age
Another important aspect of sleep apnea is that it rarely looks identical between age groups. It can be helpful to know how it affects all ages if you think symptoms may be present in yourself or a family member:
In Children:
- Hyperactivity or behavioral problems
- Difficulty concentrating in school
- Mouth breathing during the day
- Bedwetting
In Teens and Young Adults:
- Chronic fatigue and difficulty waking up in the morning
- Declining school performance or social withdrawal
- Persistent irritability or moodiness
In Adults:
- Loud snoring and episodes of waking gasping for air
- Higher blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease
- Increased likelihood of diabetes or weight gain
- Daytime sleepiness that affects productivity and safety
As with any type of orthodontic treatment, it’s always great when we can perform necessary treatment early. This means that if your child or teenager is presenting signs of sleep apnea, allowing our team to address it sooner rather than later is preferable.
Orthodontic Solutions for Sleep Apnea
We’re happy to report that Dr. Dayan and One Love Orthodontics might be able to provide you or your child the relief you’ve been searching for! Treatment targeting sleep apnea can be more specialized and might go beyond braces.
Palate Expansion
- This treatment consists of helping widen a naturally narrow palate, opening up airway passages.
- Particularly beneficial for children and teens to encourage proper growth and breathing.
Jaw Alignment Treatments
- Correcting misaligned jaws also helps reposition airways for better breathing.
- Orthodontic appliances like braces can aid in repositioning your jaw and restoring airflow during sleep.
Custom Oral Appliances
- Devices like mandibular advancement devices (MADs) move your jaw forward during sleep, reducing airway blockages.
- We might be able to offer alternatives or complements to CPAP therapy, especially if you struggle with CPAP compliance.
Common Questions About Orthodontics and Sleep Apnea
One of our favorite qualities of orthodontic treatment is that every patient is different, which means one person is bound to have different questions than another. In any case, here are some answers that you might be looking for ahead of your consultation with Dr. Dayan:
Can orthodontics completely cure sleep apnea?
One Love Orthodontics addresses anatomical issues contributing to sleep apnea, thereby greatly improving symptoms. However, some cases may require collaboration with other medical professionals and therapies to resolve symptoms close to completely. This will also depend on whether you’re suffering from a mild-to-moderate case or a severe case of sleep apnea.
How long does orthodontic treatment for sleep apnea take?
As always, this answer will vary. Treatment duration varies depending on the severity of your condition, the specific treatment used, and patient compliance. Some treatments, like palate expansion, can show improvements within months, while jaw alignment might require longer periods of adjustment. Dr. Dayan provides a personalized timeline before commencing treatment so that you know what to expect.
Can orthodontic treatment help adults with chronic snoring?
Absolutely. Orthodontic solutions, especially mandibular advancement devices (MADs), expand airway space and help eliminate or reduce snoring, meaning much quieter, healthier sleep and reduced health risks.
Will insurance cover orthodontic treatments for sleep apnea?
Many treatments for sleep apnea are partially or fully covered by dental or medical insurance, especially when considered medically necessary. Our team at One Love Orthodontics will assist you in navigating your insurance benefits and finding the best financing solutions for you or your family.
A Sounder Sleep
The awareness around sleep apnea has grown over the years, with corresponding treatments also becoming more readily available. If you’re in the Brooklyn area and have decided it’s time to seek some help, we would be happy to have you in for a free consultation to discuss your symptoms and start talking solutions!