Sleep Apnea Treatment

Northern Virginia, including Arlington, Tysons Corner, Alexandria, Fairfax, and McLean, Virginia Apnea

The nighttime breathing condition called sleep apnea affects an estimated 12 million people in the United States. There are three different types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive, the most common type of sleep apnea, where the airway becomes blocked by the tongue and soft tissue collapsing in the throat
• Central, in which the brain does not send breathing signals to your muscles
• Mixed, which combines both obstructive and central sleep apnea

Left untreated, sleep apnea causes interruptions in sleep patterns and can lead to additional physical problems during the waking hours. At Galleria Dental Aesthetics, Dr. Lee, Dr. Oh and Dr. Mortazie provide treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea.

Oral Appliance Treatment for Sleep Apnea

Our cosmetic dentists have the advanced training in oral appliance therapy to help patients with sleep apnea. When worn at night, a custom-made oral appliance can keep a sleep apnea patient’s airway open and unobstructed. There are approximately 40 FDA-approved designs available to:

• Reposition how the lower jaw, tongue and soft tissues are positioned in the mouth
• Keep the lower jaw and tongue stabilized
• Add muscle tone to the tongue

An in-depth examination by one of our sleep apnea dentists can help our team determine which type of mouthpiece may help to solve your sleep apnea problem.

Alternative Treatment Methods for Sleep Apnea

Sometimes, a combination of therapies is necessary to fully treat sleep apnea, and often this process can take months or even years to determine the most effective approach to solving the problem. Other treatment methods for sleep apnea include:

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), where the patient wears a mask over the mouth and/or nose while sleeping to deliver pressurized air through a tube to keep the airway clear
• Invasive surgery to reposition the lower jaw or remove excess throat tissue, tonsils, adenoids or uvula
• Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, exercise, avoidance of alcohol, smoking or taking certain medications and side sleeping

Because there are varying degrees of sleep apnea, what works for one patient may not necessarily work for another. At Galleria Dental Aesthetics, we are committed to helping our sleep apnea patients find solutions for this potentially life-altering condition, and we will work with you for as long as possible until we find the appropriate solution.

If you believe sleep apnea is negatively affecting you or someone you love, please do not wait another day to diagnose the condition and begin treatment.

Please contact the sleep apnea specialists at Galleria Dental Aesthetics today to arrange a free sleep apnea consultation and begin the journey to a good night’s sleep. We serve Tysons Corner, Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, McLean, and all of Northern Virginia.