Sleep Apnea Treatment in Lakeland, Florida

Many people worldwide struggle with sleep apnea, a condition that causes interrupted breathing patterns during sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause a chain reaction of health concerns that can impact all aspects of your life.

Our patients routinely come to us complaining of the cumbersome PAP therapy their doctor has prescribed, and we are pleased to offer an alternative. At Crosby Dentistry, we can provide innovative solutions for sleep apnea, with dental appliances that are custom-made to help open your airway as you sleep. Enjoy a restful night’s sleep and wake each morning ready to start your day with sleep apnea treatment from Dr. Crosby.

 

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that impacts a person’s breathing as they sleep. During a typical sleep cycle, sleep apnea will cause a person to stop breathing for a brief period, interrupting oxygen flow to the body. This condition is prevalent and impacts millions of people around the world. While some patients have success using a PAP machine to regulate their breathing during sleep, other patients rely on a dental device to help improve their breathing.

 

Types Of Sleep Apnea

There are different types of sleep apnea that can affect breathing:

• Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked, often at the back of the throat
• Central sleep apnea happens when the brain does not send proper signals to control breathing
• Some patients may experience a combination of both types

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type and is often treated with oral appliances or continuous positive airway pressure therapy.

 

How Do I Know If I Have Sleep Apnea?

It can be hard to diagnose sleep apnea, especially for yourself. If you are sleeping alone, it is difficult to notice interruptions in your breathing patterns.

However, some common sleep apnea symptoms can include:

• Snoring
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Headaches
• Dry mouth or throat when you wake
• Abrupt awakening followed by coughing or gasping

If you notice some of these telltale signs, it may be a good idea to schedule an appointment with Dr. Crosby for further evaluation. The sooner we can diagnose sleep apnea, the sooner we can find real solutions to improve your condition and get you a restful night’s sleep.

 

How Sleep Apnea Is Diagnosed

A healthcare provider may recommend a sleep study to evaluate your breathing patterns and measure your blood oxygen levels during sleep. This test helps determine the severity of sleep apnea and guides the treatment plan.

 

What Does Treatment Look Like?

The standard treatment for sleep apnea is a PAP machine that helps regulate your breathing. While this machine can be effective, many patients struggle with the bulkiness and clumsiness of the machine. Crosby Dentistry is pleased to offer a dental device that is less intrusive and more comfortable to sleep with.

A dental device can help regulate and improve sleep by keeping breathing patterns even and consistent. Usually, sleep apnea dental devices fall into one of two categories. One device helps move the lower jaw forward as you sleep, while the second device helps keep the tongue in proper position. These devices work to keep the airway open while eliminating the tongue as a possible obstruction. Each dental appliance will be custom-made for your individual needs.

 

Comparing Treatment Options

There are several treatment options available depending on the severity of sleep apnea:

• Continuous positive airway pressure, often called a CPAP machine, uses steady air pressure to keep the airway open
• Bilevel positive airway pressure may be used in certain cases with different pressure settings
• Oral appliance therapy uses custom oral devices to reposition the jaw or tongue
• Surgical options may be considered in more advanced cases

CPAP therapy is often considered the gold standard, but many patients prefer oral appliances for comfort and convenience.

 

Benefits Of Oral Appliance Therapy

Oral appliance therapy offers several benefits for patients looking for an alternative to traditional breathing devices:

• More comfortable and less bulky than a CPAP machine
• Easy to travel with and use nightly
• Helps improve sleep quality and reduce daytime sleepiness
• Supports consistent breathing patterns during sleep
• May help improve blood pressure and overall health

Many patients find this approach to be an effective treatment when used as part of a personalized plan.

 

Will A Dental Appliance Improve My Sleep Apnea?

Dental appliances can do wonders for patients to help them breathe normally as they sleep. For many, a dental appliance is enough to improve sleep apnea drastically. A dental device can be used in conjunction with PAP therapy and often shows the best results when used in conjunction with other therapies. Many people who rely on PAP therapy will also choose to have a dental appliance as a backup.

If you are unsure about adding a dental appliance to help improve your sleep apnea, contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Crosby. Together, you will evaluate the severity of your sleep apnea and determine if a dental appliance is right for you.

 

Risk Factors And Lifestyle Changes

Several risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing sleep apnea:

• Body mass index and body mass can affect airway size
• Sleeping position may contribute to airway blockages
• Nasal passages or upper airway structure can impact airflow

Lifestyle changes may help improve symptoms, including:

• Weight loss when appropriate
• Increased physical activity
• Adjusting sleep position
• Maintaining a healthy weight

These changes can support other treatment options and improve long-term results.

 

Long-Term Health Effects Of Sleep Apnea

Untreated sleep apnea may impact overall health and increase the risk of certain conditions, including:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Irregular heart rate
• Reduced oxygen levels during sleep

Improving sleep apnea can help support better sleep, improved mental health, and overall health outcomes.