Sleep Apnea Burnaby

Are you getting poor-quality sleep? Sleep apnea can be dangerous! Surprisingly it may be a dental issue, call us for Sleep Apnea care in Burnaby today.

If you find that you are tired throughout the day, suffer from sleep loss, have trouble breathing while you sleep, have been told that you snore, or have enlarged tonsils, you may have a condition called sleep apnea. The Dawson Dental Centre team understands that the continuous loss of sleep from sleep apnea can negatively affect your life. That is why we are dedicated to providing those who suffer from sleep apnea with safe and effective treatment options. If you suffer from it or think you might suffer from sleep apnea in Burnaby, let Dawson Dental Centre help you on the road to optimal health and wellness, and a good night’s sleep!

Sleep apnea is a serious, sometimes fatal, type of sleep-related disorder that causes you to completely stop breathing while you sleep, sometimes hundreds of times in a single night. Normal breathing ceases because the airway becomes obstructed, causing a serious reduction of airflow to the lungs. Most people who suffer from it experience symptoms such as loud snoring and sleepiness during the day. The most common type is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is characterized by the narrowing of the airway during sleep, which leads to breathing disruptions. These disruptions are caused by a lack of communication between the brain and the muscles involved in breathing. These frequent pauses in breathing throughout the night reduce the quality of your sleep and, if left untreated, can lead to potentially serious health concerns. Since most people do not even know they suffer from sleep apnea, it is important to mention it to your dentist if you think you may have it.

• Loud snoring that is often punctuated by choking or gasping sounds (this may only come to a person’s attention after they are observed by a bed partner)
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Irritability or frustration
• Increased need to get up from bed to urinate
• Reduced focus throughout the day
• Headaches in the morning that may last for several hours after waking up
• Dry mouth when waking up
• Restless sleep with periods of wakefulness throughout the night

Though sleep apnea is relatively common, it can be dangerous to your overall health and should be treated promptly. The Dawson Dental Centre team is here to aid you in diagnosing sleep apnea and getting you started on the road to optimal health and wellness!

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, there are two treatment options to effectively treat it. The first option is the continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP), which stabilizes your breathing with a continuous flow of air through a tube and into a mask worn over your face. While the CPAP machine works well, it is very loud, bulky, uncomfortable, and difficult to travel with. Consequently, CPAP compliance (patient use) is quite low. The second treatment option is a sleep apnea appliance which can help open the airway and prevent disruptions in your breathing. Once properly diagnosed, Dawson Dental Centre is pleased to offer Burnaby sleep apnea appliances that can help open your airway and prevent disruptions in your breathing.

Dawson Dental Centre is committed to treating patients troubled by sleep apnea with a variety of custom fixed and adjustable night guard appliances. The goal of most of these devices is to separate the jaws and push them forward slightly. This slight repositioning opens up the airway, and allows oxygen to flow freely again. Wearers of sleep apnea dental devices report that they stop loud snoring, feel more rested in the daytime, and are much more comfortable going to sleep. Sleep apnea appliances can also help reduce physical symptoms associated with snoring, which can leave your mouth more vulnerable to the bacteria that causes tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath, as well as the wear and tear from the clenching and grinding associated with OSA. Sleep apnea appliances offer a viable alternative to CPAP.

• TAP^® 3 (Thornton Adjustable Positioner):
  The TAP^® 3 is the smallest, most comfortable member of the TAP family. It is a two-part custom-created sleep apnea appliance that fits over the teeth similarly to a sports mouthguard. The TAP^® 3 projects the jaw forward to prevent the tongue and soft tissues from impeding the airway. The lower jaw positioner is adjustable, which means that it can be altered to suit the comfort level of the wearer. The TAP^® 3 appliance can accommodate the three main types of malocclusion, while also allowing the lips to fully close.
• OASYS Appliance:
  The OASYS appliance is designed to move the base of the tongue toward the front of the mouth by gently repositioning the jawbone, or the “mandible.” This shift opens the oropharynx and strengthens the upper airway. An extension of the upper shield projects toward the nose, creating a larger nasal opening and less resistance to normal airflow. This adjustable appliance is comfortable to wear and extremely patient friendly.

• Klearway™ Appliance:
  The Klearway™ Appliance is generally used to alleviate obstructive sleep disorder and eliminate snoring. The patient or dentist can project the jaw forward in increments of 0.25 mm to ensure maximum comfort for the sleeper. The Klearway™ appliance is made from Variflex™ heat softening acrylic, which makes it easier to insert. Running warm water over the appliance makes it pliable, but the acrylic hardens again once placed in the desired position.
• Herbst Telescopic Appliance:
  The Herbst appliance is held in the mouth by clasps and friction grips. It is made of acrylic and contains adjustable metal wiring. The advantage of this appliance is that the wearer can move vertically and laterally without dislodging the appliance. The Herbst appliance is usually used in mild and moderate cases of sleep apnea, and can also effectively alleviate loud snoring.