SERVING PITTSBURGH, ALLISON PARK, AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS OF PENNSYLVANIA
Sleep apnea can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or race. However, there are factors that can increase your risk for developing this potentially deadly sleep disorder.
The Pittsburgh dentists at Dentonics have extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea. We have helped many patients, as well as their loved ones, restore healthy, restful sleep.
Sleep Apnea Risk Factors
The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, in which your throat muscles become relaxed and allow the tissue in the back of your throat to collapse and block your airway as you sleep. While anyone can develop sleep apnea, factors that indicate a heightened risk for sleep apnea include:
- Obesity
- Anatomical factors such as a narrow airway or deviated septum
- Above-average neck circumference
- Being male
- Regular use of alcohol or sedatives
- Smoking
- Regular nasal congestion/allergies
- Family history of sleep apnea
If not treated, sleep apnea can contribute to an increased risk for severe health problems such as hypertension, stroke, heart attack and cardiac arrhythmia.
Seeking Help for Sleep Apnea
Loud, regular snoring is the most common and noticeable sleep apnea symptom. Snoring related to sleep apnea is usually accompanied by other symptoms, which may include daytime fatigue, waking from sleep choking or gasping for air, mood changes and morning headaches.
Although sleep apnea can heighten your risk for life-threatening health problems, it is also treatable. The Pittsburgh dentists at Dentonics offer a number of comfortable and effective sleep apnea treatment options, including custom-made oral appliances designed to keep your jaw properly aligned and your airway open as you sleep.
Dr. Joe and Dr. Charles Frye have extensive training in neuromuscular dentistry and sleep apnea treatment and are able to fabricate the lingual-less LVI SomnoDent. This appliance is not only neuromuscularly correct, but it is also much less bulky than other designs; Dentonics is one of the few dental practices in Pennsylvania qualified to fabricate this device.
If you or a family member suffers from chronic snoring or other sleep apnea symptoms, please contact Dentonics to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Joe or Dr. Charles Frye. We are proud to help patients from Allison Park and the greater Pittsburgh area regain peaceful sleep.
