Berkeley Sleep Apnea Treatment

Persistent snoring is annoying, but it isn’t just a problem that keeps your partner awake at night. Loud snoring can be a symptom of a serious medical disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea or OSA.

OSA is a medical problem, but most people are unaware that their dentist may be able to provide them with a simple solution. At Berkeley Prosthodontics and General Dentistry, we can consult with your physician to determine whether you are a good candidate for a customized oral device that stops snoring and minimizes the symptoms of sleep apnea.  In fact, Dr. Au is one of the few dentists certified to treat sleep apnea in the Berkeley area.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is indicated by snoring, shallow breathing, and a choking sensation. It often occurs because of an obstruction in the airway.

If you have obstructive sleep apnea, your throat and the tissues inside it relax as you sleep, blocking your airway. Your breathing temporarily stops, and your brain wakes you up so you don’t suffocate. This can happen several hundred times each night, and you may not even be aware of it.

Repeated attempts to catch your breath cause your oxygen levels to drop and put you at greater risk for:

• High blood pressure

• Stroke

• Heart failure

• Diabetes

• Depression

Untreated sleep apnea can also lead to fatigue, which can be responsible for poor performance in everyday activities at work or school.

How Do You Treat Sleep Apnea?

Treatment for OSA is a priority because it disrupts your sleep, which affects your overall health and wellness. Proper treatment can help you feel more refreshed throughout your day, allow you to enjoy an improved quality of life, and, most importantly, extend your life.

If you snore or have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, your physician probably spoke to you about treatment options like a CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) mask. However, many people resist using the CPAP mask because it can be bulky and uncomfortable to wear. 

If your OSA is mild to moderate, you may benefit from an FDA-approved oral appliance customized at our Berkeley, CA dental office.

We take an impression of your teeth and observe how your teeth come together when you bite down. We then design a custom oral appliance that works by gently guiding your jaw forward to open your airway and allow you to breathe more easily. 

Schedule Your Berkeley Sleep Apnea Treatment Consultation

If your partner complains about your snoring or you wake up every day feeling fatigued, we recommend you contact your primary physician for a medical evaluation. In most cases, your doctor will recommend a sleep study to monitor your breathing and vital signs while you sleep. Based on the results, you will receive a recommendation for treatment that may be as simple as a customized oral device.

We will consult with your physician and, if appropriate, design an oral device so you can breathe freely and get a good night’s rest!