Sleep Apnea Treatment – Stephens City, VA
Sleep Better. Breathe Better. Live Better.
About 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, which is a condition where someone experiences brief but frequent lapses in breathing during sleep, ruining their sleep quality. If you believe that you might have this condition or if you’ve already been diagnosed, Dr. Gromling can offer you a conservative and effective solution in the form of oral appliance therapy. It’s comfortable, it’s safe, and it’s proven to help people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea enjoy restful nights and energetic mornings.
Why Choose Thomas A. Gromling, DDS for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
- Custom-Made Sleep Appliances for Every Patient
- Proven CPAP Alternative
- Can Help Stop Snoring the Very First Night
What is Sleep Apnea?
About 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, which is a condition where someone experiences brief but frequent lapses in breathing during sleep, ruining their sleep quality. If you believe that you might have this condition or if you’ve already been diagnosed, Dr. Gromling can offer you a conservative and effective solution in the form of oral appliance therapy. It’s comfortable, it’s safe, and it’s proven to help people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea enjoy restful nights and energetic mornings.
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Chronic exhaustion is very common for people with sleep apnea simply because their body isn’t getting the rest it needs. This can lower a person’s quality of life dramatically, and it also makes them much more likely to get in a motor vehicle accident. Sleep apnea also causes a severe spike in blood pressure that can linger for many hours even after someone is breathing normally. This heightens the risk for conditions like stroke and heart attack. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, about 35,000 cardiovascular-related deaths every year can be directly tied to sleep apnea.
What Are the Health Risks Associated with Sleep Apnea?
The dangers of sleep apnea in Stephens City go well beyond the embarrassment of falling asleep during an important work meeting because you are feeling drowsy. Prolonged sleep deprivation can wreak havoc on your overall health. Sleep apnea has been linked to all of the following negative health impacts:
- High Blood Pressure – Waking up multiple times throughout the night can increase bodily stress and boost blood pressure.
- Heart Disease – Sleep apnea disrupts oxygen levels, which may increase the risk of a heart attack.
- Type 2 Diabetes – Lack of adequate rest can prevent the body from using insulin properly, which can lead to diabetes.
- Weight Gain – If you are constantly tired, you will likely exercise less and may put on a few pounds. Obesity also raises the chances of getting sleep apnea in the first place.
Common Signs of Sleep Apnea
While snoring is a hallmark symptom of sleep apnea, there are additional warnings signs that could indicate something is wrong. Common symptoms of this disorder include:
- Morning headaches
- Waking up often to use the bathroom
- Waking up gasping or choking for air
- Dry or sore throat or mouth
- Daytime fatigue
- Moodiness or irritability
- Insomnia
- Loss of libido
Excessive Snoring
Loud, persistent snoring is a prominent symptom of sleep apnea. This occurs when the airway is only partially blocked, but it’s usually the precursor to full obstruction. Snoring does not automatically mean someone has sleep apnea, but it certainly indicates this person is at a higher risk of developing it in the future. Plus, snoring can be very, very disturbing to others, straining relationships in the process. Fortunately, the same solution Dr. Gromling offers for sleep apnea can also be used as an effective snoring treatment, leading to quieter nights for everyone.
An Alternative to CPAP: Oral Appliance Therapy
Traditionally, sleep apnea is treated with a CPAP machine, but over the last few years, oral appliance therapy has become much more popular. Instead of wearing a noisy air pump to bed, a patient simply wears a mouthpiece designed by Dr. Gromling. It slightly adjusts the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open throughout the night. He can provide a number of different oral appliances based on a patient’s particular needs.
How Does Oral Appliance Therapy Work?
The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in which the airway becomes blocked. This occurs when your tongue, adenoids, or tonsils relax so much during sleep that they obstruct your airway and prevent you from breathing properly.
To open the airway, a custom-made oral appliance shifts the jaw forward and gently repositions the tongue and other soft tissues in the mouth. Since they’re lightweight and portable, these appliances are much more comfortable and easier to tolerate than a CPAP machine. Not to mention quite effective for mild to moderate sleep apnea.
The Herbst Appliance
The Herbst appliance is a functional orthopedic device that consists of two mouthguards. Custom-made using surgical-grade stainless steel, they go over the top and bottom rows of teeth, connected by two small metal arms. It’s a lightweight appliance that helps reposition the lower jaw to keep muscles and soft tissues in the back of the mouth and the throat open. One significant benefit is that it doesn’t take up much room in the mouth, allowing patients to maintain the full range of motion for their jaw.
The Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy Compared to a CPAP Machine
It goes without saying that CPAP machines are only effective when they’re used. Unfortunately, many people are CPAP intolerant and unable to adjust to the sounds of the machine or the discomfort of wearing the mask. Others may travel a lot and can’t take a CPAP machine with them. In all of these cases, these patients simply aren’t getting the treatment they need and, as a result, their health and well-being suffer.
An oral appliance is a great alternative because it offers all of the following benefits:
- Immediate improvement is often seen in as little as one night
- Can be used anywhere and doesn’t require a nearby electrical outlet
- Greatly improves compliance
- Compact and discreet
Am I a Good Candidate for Oral Appliance Therapy?
Oral appliance therapy is a wonderful option for many people. However, sleep apnea treatment isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ solution.
If you’ve already been diagnosed with sleep apnea and aren’t getting the relief you need from a CPAP, a good place to start is talking with your sleep doctor. If you don’t have a sleep doctor, we work a network of excellent physicians who can diagnose your condition and collaborate with us to provide the best treatment for your needs.
In many cases, patients get great results with oral appliance therapy alone. For severe sleep apnea, you may get the best results from combined therapy using both an oral appliance and a CPAP machine. When used together, the CPAP becomes easier and more comfortable and also provides better results.
The Process of Getting a Custom-Made Oral Appliance
The first step is a consultation with Dr. Gromling. We want to make sure we’re treating the right condition by ruling out other potential health problems and making an accurate diagnosis. For that, we work with a sleep physician who will perform a sleep test and let us know what they find.
If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea and oral appliance therapy is right for you, we’ll take impressions first to custom-make your appliance. Then you’ll come back for a second visit to pick it up and we’ll go over the best way to use it. We’ll also discuss follow-up visits to make sure you continue getting all the benefits of effective sleep apnea treatment, including better rest, more energy, and a healthier life overall.
Partnered with Winchester's Top Sleep Specialists
In order to help our sleep apnea patients get the care they need, Dr. Gromling has teamed up with a network of trusted sleep physicians. He can point you to a sleep physician in your area who can give you a sleep test, which is necessary before receiving an oral appliance. Working closely with them, he can find the ideal treatment to help you finally get the rest you need. They’ll also collaborate on your follow-up care to ensure you’re enjoying long-term results.
Understanding the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea can be detrimental to your overall well-being, so it’s important to address your symptoms with a professional as soon as possible. However, many people worry about the cost of sleep apnea treatment. During your consultation, we can discuss the cost of treatment in detail and go over all of your payment options. Until then, here are some things to take into account.
Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Dental insurance doesn’t cover the cost of sleep apnea treatment. Instead, diagnosing and treating sleep apnea is generally dealt with through your medical insurance provider. To learn more about your coverage, it is best to reach out to your provider directly. One of our friendly team members would also be happy to help you understand your plan and how it works. Doing so can help you significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment
Multiple different factors can contribute to the cost of sleep apnea treatment. Here are the two that play the largest roles:
- Type of Sleep Apnea Treatment: There are different approaches to addressing sleep apnea, and various techniques work for different patients. We use oral appliance therapy to reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. The investment for oral appliances is usually more affordable than CPAP machines and other methods.
- Insurance Coverage: Depending on the medical insurance plan that you have, more or less of your treatment may be covered. With proper preauthorization, medical insurance plans will usually say how much they plan to cover before you receive your device.
Treat Your Sleep Apnea Now to Improve Your Health
Many patients contemplate if it’s even worth it to seek a sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment. Whether or not you have health insurance that covers treatment, you can be confident that seeking treatment is in your best interest. It can easily benefit your health and reduce your long-term expenses. For instance, when one has sleep apnea, they are at higher risk of multiple different health problems, including some that are incredibly serious and life-threatening, like stroke, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, depression, weight gain, and more! These problems will eventually result in high medical bills and a lower quality of life.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Can My Dentist Diagnose Sleep Apnea?
Since your dentist is technically a mouth expert, they’ll be able to detect signs and indications of sleep apnea. They might find problems in your throat that can contribute to breathing problems during rest. That said, they won’t be able to offer an official OSA diagnosis. Instead, they’ll refer you to a sleep physician who will perform the necessary testing to identify the issue. These tests are known as sleep studies, which involve using advanced machinery to monitor you as you sleep. The data created by the test can reveal if you have a sleep disorder and its severity. Afterward, you may be able to receive treatment for it from your dentist.
Can I Diagnose Sleep Apnea on My Own?
You will not be able to self-diagnose sleep apnea. To effectively diagnose the issue will involve machinery that only a sleep physician utilizes. Even so, you can still try monitoring your symptoms and the quality of your sleep, especially if you constantly feel like you don’t get enough rest. Try keeping a journal to track when you go to bed, how often you wake up in the middle of the night, and how you feel when you finally get up. Using a smartwatch to monitor your sleep quality is also beneficial, as your physician may be able to use the data to see if an official sleep test will be necessary.
Will My Sleep Apnea Go Away If I Lose Weight?
Obstructive sleep apnea can sometimes occur due to excessive fat around the neck area, which can end up constricting the airway and increase the risk of breathing issues while sleeping. Extra weight in the abdominal region can also contribute to OSA, making it more difficult to rest easily during the night. For this reason, those who are obese may be able to minimize or eliminate some of their symptoms by shedding some weight. Still, obesity is only one of the various factors that can lead to sleep apnea. If you’re experiencing symptoms of OSA, don’t hesitate to consult your dentist, as they can connect you with a sleep physician for help.