Conservative, Effective Sleep Apnea Therapy
Liberty Hill, Georgetown, Round Rock Patients Experience Better Sleep with a SomnoMed Oral Appliance from Dr. Gillespie, F.A.G.D.
It’s happened again. You get to bed early, sleep throughout the night, and still wake up in the morning just as exhausted as the night before. What is the problem? It could be sleep apnea.
If you are worried that sleep apnea may be robbing you of the restorative rest you need, call sleep dentist Dr. Thad Gillespie today. From our Liberty Hill dental practice, Dr. Gillespie can assess your symptoms, connect you with the proper resources for diagnosis, and if necessary, prescribe a SomnoMed custom oral appliance for comfortable sleep apnea therapy.
What is sleep apnea?
While the explanations and causes can become complicated, let’s start with the basics. Sleep apnea is a sleep breathing disorder in which a person stops breathing for 10 seconds or more during sleep. Not just once, either. A person with sleep apnea will experience these episodes multiple times every night; sometimes dozens of times per night.
The most widely diagnosed form of sleep apnea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). As the word “obstructive” implies, this type of sleep apnea is caused by something, whether collapsed soft tissues in the back of your throat or overgrown adenoids or tonsils, blocking your airway during sleep.
How is sleep apnea treated?
Traditionally, this sleep breathing disorder has been addressed through the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device. Yet while it is highly effective when used faithfully and within treatment guidelines, many patients find that they are CPAP intolerant and unable to comply with treatment as directed. The most common issues with the machine include its large size, noise, and discomfort with the accompanying mask.
Fortunately, there is now a revolutionary and customized alternative to the CPAP that Dr. Gillespie can prescribe right here from our Liberty Hill office. It’s called the SomnoDent MAS oral appliance from SomnoMed, and it works by shifting your jaw forward slightly to keep the airway open during sleep. The SomnoDent MAS is comfortable, discreet, and easily portable. No machine, no tubes, and no noise!
Wouldn’t I notice if I stopped breathing during the night?
We often find that patients with sleep apnea are unaware of the breathing stoppages that are occurring. Sometimes a spouse or bed partner noticed the problem, and expressed concern. Even if you have not been alerted of such a problem, though, you can easily self-identify the warning signs that point to sleep apnea, such as:
- Daytime drowsiness
- Loud snoring
- Dry mouth upon awakening
- Irritability
- Memory or concentration problems
As an experienced sleep dentist, Dr. Gillespie will work closely with your physician during your diagnosis and treatment process. If you are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, a SomnoMed oral appliance could be just the tool you need to feel rested, alert, and like yourself again. Interrupted sleep can affect your health, your relationships, and your personality, so why wait any longer for an evaluation? Don’t let sleep apnea rule your life. Call (512) 515-0171 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Thad Gillespie, F.A.G.D. in Liberty Hill, and take charge of your sleep.
Sleep Apnea—Did You Know?
- Those with sleep apnea are three times as likely to be involved in car accidents
- More men than women suffer from sleep apnea
- Drinking, smoking, and being overweight increases your risk for sleep apnea
- Sleep apnea has been linked to heart attacks, high blood pressure, and strokes
- The word “apnea” comes from the Greek word meaning “without breath”
- Sleep apnea affects children, too
Sleep Apnea Videos on YouTube
Explanations of the health risks related to sleep apnea
Shaq O'Neal's personal experience with sleep apnea
Patient testimonies about SomnoMed appliance verses the CPAP