What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep Apnea is a dangerous sleep disorder that causes an individual to stop breathing repeatedly throughout sleep, often as many as a hundred times during an average night. This progressive disorder worsens with age and can ultimately cause death if left untreated. There are three types of sleep apnea—obstructive, central and mixed—and each is treated with a separate but equally effective procedure.

Genetic and behavioral factors that can increase your chances of developing sleep apnea include: excess weight; a large neck or recessed chin; abnormalities in the structure of the upper airway; a family history of sleep apnea; and alcohol use or frequent smoking.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include: hypertension; lack of concentration; and ongoing fatigue despite a healthy sleep cycle.

There are a variety of treatments for sleep apnea, including the Oral Dilator, the Silencer and the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, all of which keep the mouth and airways open during sleep. Tyson’s Corner Advanced Dental Center can custom create an Oral Dilator in just minutes, making it easy for you to correct this often deadly disorder.

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
Proper diagnosis of sleep apnea is essential in determining a patient’s specific condition and, in turn, the correct treatment. While many dental practices require the patient remain in an overnight facility for observation, Tyson’s Corner Advanced Dental Center offers a home diagnostic kit that verifies the degree of the disorder while you sleep in your own bed. The accuracy of the home kit is clinically proven, which means that it is not only convenient, but highly effective.