Sleep apnea is a condition where if you are afflicted you are not able to breathe correctly while sleeping.
Sleep apnea occurs if your mouth and pharynx muscles become too relaxed while sleeping. When these muscles become too relaxed, your tongue will begin to prevent the appropriate amount of air from reaching your lungs. If you suffer from sleep apnea you will wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air.
The conscientious, thoughtful, and patient staff at Northside Dental share a common philosophy and that is to treat you as a person first, as a patient second. We appreciate your unique values on your lifestyle, your overall health, your smile, comfort, time, anxiety levels, and your budget. We are detail conscious in developing and implementing your personalized treatment plans. We also view our entire office as important players on your overall health program team. Call us today at 317-848-9838 to schedule your appointment or stop in at 15026 Greyhound Ct. Carmel, IN 46032.
Sleep apnea is a condition where if you are afflicted you are not able to breathe correctly while sleeping. A recent health study showed that one out of three chronic, severe snorers were diagnosed with a harmful degree of sleep apnea. During the night sufferers will often experience apnea, defined as the temporary inability for you to breathe, that can last as long as 40 seconds. This will cause your brain to wake you up just enough so that you will move and resume your breathing. Most patients are not even aware of their having this condition until they are observed by a sleeping partner. This means that many sleep apnea sufferers are unaware of their existing condition and have just learned to live a life of ongoing fatigue.
Sleep apnea happens when your mouth and pharynx muscles simply become too relaxed while sleeping. When these muscles become so relaxed, your tongue will prevent the adequate amount of air from reaching your lungs. The airways found in the back of your throat then become blocked. Therefore, you wake up startled in the middle of the night gasping for air if you are suffering from sleep apnea. As a result of this blockage, you then develop extremely loud snoring, a shortness of breath, or you will have chronic feelings of lethargy or restlessness, because your body is not able to relax and sleep as deeply as it needs.
Refer a friend
Examination and Cleaning
Cosmetic Services
Emergency Dentistry
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 both you.
- Falling asleep during the day or never quite being able to wake up.
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 both 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
Our preventative approach is the biggest benefit when choosing Northside Dental. We focus on making sure your appointments are relaxing, quick and efficient. Our common team goal is simple and that we want to be the partner you trust for all your dental needs. We look forward to helping you maintain your smile and the opportunity to assist you with good preventative care. Call us today at 317-848-9838 to schedule your appointment or stop in at 15026 Greyhound Ct. Carmel, IN 46032.