Sleep apnea is a condition where if you are afflicted you are not able to breathe correctly while sleeping.
You can spend an entire night in bed and still wake up feeling like you barely slept. For people with sleep apnea, this can happen because their breathing is repeatedly interrupted throughout the night. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax enough to narrow or block your airway. As a result, your body struggles to get the air it needs, disrupting your sleep even if you don't remember waking up.
Loud snoring is one of the more noticeable signs of sleep apnea, but it isn't the only symptom. Some people wake up gasping or choking, while others experience morning headaches, dry mouth, or constant fatigue during the day. You might also have trouble concentrating or find yourself feeling unusually tired despite getting what seems like a full night's rest.
One of the difficulties with sleep apnea is that many people don't realize they have it. You may briefly wake up several times during the night without being aware of it. Often, it's a spouse or sleeping partner who first notices the loud snoring or pauses in breathing. Over time, these repeated interruptions can prevent you from getting the restful sleep your body needs and may contribute to other health problems.
At Northside Dental, we know how much poor sleep can affect your everyday life. If you're experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, we can discuss your concerns and help you understand what steps to take next. A medical evaluation and sleep study may be needed to confirm a diagnosis. For certain patients with obstructive sleep apnea, a custom oral appliance may also be an appropriate treatment option. These devices are worn while sleeping and help keep the airway open by positioning the lower jaw slightly forward.
We'll take your individual needs, comfort, and budget into consideration when discussing your options. If you'd like to learn more, call Northside Dental at 317-342-9446 to schedule an appointment, or visit our office at 15026 Greyhound Ct., Carmel, IN 46032.
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The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
These are the most common signs associated with sleep apnea:
- You develop extremely loud snoring.
- You wake up multiple times during the night.
- You have chronic morning headaches.
- Chronic fatigue plagues you.
- Your mouth is extremely dry when you wake up.
- You will suffer from some memory loss or brain fog.
- You find yourself waking up gasping for air.
- Depression, mood swings, and other mood disorders affect you.
- Falling asleep during the day or never quite being able to wake up.
The Different Types of Dental Sedation Available
The sedation options offered at Northside Dental can be categorized as one of two types: conscious sedation and general anesthesia. During your dental procedure using conscious sedation, your consciousness is simply depressed. With general anesthesia you are completely unconscious for the entire procedure. As a result of this state of mind you will not feel anything during the procedure, and you will have no memory of the procedure.
The methods available for us to administer the sedation to you include the following:
- Nitrous Oxide: Nitrous oxide is the mildest sedation option, the most common and easy for us to work with. The procedure for administering Nitrous Oxide involves using a mouthpiece. As the Nitrous Oxide is delivered, you will simply enter a calm and relaxed state. This process will reduce both any pain and anxiety that is associated with simpler dental procedures and has a shorter life span.
- Oral Sedation: A more intense form of sedation is Oral Sedation. This method involves the delivery of your anxiety medication to induce a state of deeper calm and relaxation within you. This orally delivered medication will last for several hours after the procedure. You will not be allowed to drive immediately following your procedure.
- IV Sedation: IV, or Intravenous Sedation, is the most intense form of sedation Northside Dental offers. During the IV Sedation, we put you into a state of unconsciousness. It will not be uncommon for you to experience some amnesia both before and after the procedure. As with the Oral Sedation procedure, you also will not be allowed to drive after the procedure.
Sedation Dentistry Might be Beneficial for these Dental Procedures
Certain procedures, such as a root canal treatment, surgical tooth extraction, implant placement, and periodontal surgery, will most likely require some level of sedation dentistry. The use of sedation for other dental procedures is oftentimes decided at the discretion of our staff. We may suggest providing sedation for procedures that may be more intensive, or we may offer to provide sedation dentistry for you if you have expressed extreme anxiety.
Your Comfort and Your Care
At Northside Dental, we know that finding time for dental appointments can be difficult, especially when you have a busy schedule. We do our best to offer convenient appointment times and make each visit as comfortable and efficient as possible. Whether you're coming in for routine care or a specific dental concern, our team is here to help you get the treatment you need. We want to be a dental office that you and your family can rely on for years to come, and we look forward to welcoming you into our practice. Call Northside Dental at 317-342-9446 to schedule an appointment, or visit us at 15026 Greyhound Ct., Carmel, IN 46032.