Sleep & Airway | NWDentalExcellence

Sleep & Airway Dentistry

Sleep Breathing Disorders

Sleep breathing disorders are serious and can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated appropriately... but where do they come from??

We humans are designed to breathe through our nose. When we can't breathe through our nose because it is congested or too narrow, we open our mouths. Mouth breathing creates a whole slew of problems including a narrow, high vaulted palate (roof of the mouth). The palate creates the floor of the nose and a narrow and shallow nasal passage. Additionally, the airway is now smaller and the tongue lacks space to relax and often will occlude (block) the airway during our sleep... YIKES!!! Read on to see if you might have an airway and/or sleep issue and how we can help!

Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Breathing Disorder

Snoring
Waking with a sore/dry throat
Choking or gasping during sleep
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (hypersomnia)
Lack of energy during the day
Morning Headaches
Restless Sleep (insomnia)
Forgetfulness
Mood changes (irritability)
Decreased sexual drive
Waking to use the bathroom

What may increase your risk of breathing disorders?

Increased weight
Neck circumference
Gender: Males
Increased Age
Family history of sleep disorders
Alcohol, sedative, or tranquilizer use
Smoking
Nasal Congestion

What happens if you don’t treat sleep breathing disorders?

High Blood Pressure
Type 2 Diabetes
Metabolic Syndrome
Liver Problems

Screening

During Screening we will ask you questions, determine risk, evaluate your airway with rhinometry and pharyngometry (super easy). Take the test below to see if you are at risk!

Take a Test

Home Sleep Test

We provide home sleep tests for patients at a low cost and work with a board certified sleep specialist to get you a diagnosis

Consultation

Once we have your home sleep test results complete, we consult with you on the findings and recommended treatment

Sleep Appliance Fabrication & delivery

If an oral sleep appliance is best we begin taking records and finding the position to maximize your airway. Once we receive your appliance from the lab, we deliver it and you start your way to a healthier you!

Screening

Questionnaire and acoustic rhinometry and pharyngometry to determine if your nasal passage will allow appropriate nasal breathing and to test your oral airway to see how much it collapses and where.

Home Sleep Test

We offer the Watermark Ares home sleep test to wear at home for two nights to record data. The test is $200 to cover supplies and our fee for our board certified sleep specialist to give us a diagnosis and recommended treatment

Oral Appliance

Using our pharyngometer and small jigs we can determine what position your lower jaw should be in to pull your tongue slightly forward and maximize your airway space and air flow during sleep!! No guessing here!!

Why do we care?