If you’ve been told you snore loudly, wake up gasping for air, or feel exhausted despite getting a full night’s sleep, you may be one of millions of Americans struggling with sleep apnea. While many people assume sleep apnea treatment requires visits to sleep clinics or specialists, your dentist may actually hold the key to helping you achieve better rest. Modern dental sleep medicine offers effective, comfortable solutions that can transform your nights and improve your overall health.
At Roman Dental Arts, Dr. Donald Roman and Dr. Alissa Roman understand the connection between oral health and quality sleep. Our father-daughter team has helped many Hackensack patients find relief from sleep apnea symptoms through personalized dental appliances and treatments designed to keep airways open throughout the night, allowing for restful, uninterrupted sleep.
Understanding Sleep Apnea and Its Impact
Sleep apnea is a serious condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. According to the National Library of Medicine, sleep apnea affects more than 22 million Americans, yet many cases remain undiagnosed. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when throat muscles relax and block the airway during sleep.
Beyond disrupting your sleep, untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health complications, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Many patients also experience daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and mood changes that significantly impact their quality of life.
Our sleep apnea treatment focuses on addressing the root cause of airway obstruction through comfortable, effective solutions that work while you sleep. Unlike bulky CPAP machines, dental appliances are small, portable, and silent, making them an appealing option for many patients.
How Dental Appliances Work
Oral appliances for sleep apnea work by gently repositioning your jaw and tongue to keep your airway open during sleep. These custom-fitted devices are designed specifically for your mouth, ensuring maximum comfort and effectiveness. The appliance slightly advances your lower jaw forward, which helps prevent the soft tissues in your throat from collapsing and blocking your airway.
Modern dental sleep appliances are much smaller and more comfortable than older versions. Most patients adjust to wearing them within a few nights and find them far more convenient than traditional CPAP therapy. You can travel easily with oral appliances, and they require no electricity or distilled water like CPAP machines do.
The process begins with a comprehensive evaluation where we assess your specific type of sleep apnea and determine whether you’re a good candidate for oral appliance therapy. We work closely with sleep physicians to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment for your individual situation.
Advanced Laser Treatment Options
Beyond traditional oral appliances, Roman Dental Arts offers cutting-edge laser therapy for sleep apnea and snoring. Our carbon dioxide laser can tighten the soft palate and reduce airway obstruction without surgery, cutting, or burning. This minimally invasive approach helps improve airway function and can significantly reduce snoring while enhancing sleep quality.
Laser treatment works by gently heating the tissues in the soft palate and throat area, causing them to tighten and create more space in the airway. The procedure is comfortable and typically requires minimal recovery time, making it an attractive option for patients who want to avoid more invasive surgical procedures.
This innovative approach can be used alone or in combination with oral appliances, depending on your specific needs and the severity of your condition. We’ll discuss all available options during your consultation to create a treatment plan that’s right for you.
The Connection Between Oral Health and Sleep
Many patients don’t realize how closely connected oral health and sleep quality can be. Issues like teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and temporomandibular joint disorders can all contribute to poor sleep quality and may be related to sleep apnea. Our TMJ treatment services address jaw problems that can affect both comfort and airway function.
Night guards can protect your teeth from grinding damage while also helping to position your jaw in a way that may improve breathing during sleep. These custom-fitted guards are designed for comfort and can serve dual purposes in protecting your teeth and potentially improving your sleep quality.
Regular dental checkups also allow us to identify early signs of sleep apnea, such as worn teeth from grinding, enlarged tongue, or other oral indicators that suggest breathing problems during sleep. Early detection and intervention can prevent more serious health complications down the road.
Benefits of Choosing Dental Sleep Medicine
Dental sleep medicine offers several advantages over traditional sleep apnea treatments. Oral appliances are typically more comfortable and easier to use than CPAP machines, leading to better patient compliance. They’re also completely silent, so they won’t disturb your partner’s sleep.
The convenience factor cannot be overstated. Dental appliances are small enough to fit in your pocket, making travel much simpler. There are no masks, hoses, or machines to worry about, and no need to find electrical outlets or pack distilled water when you’re away from home.
Many patients also find oral appliances more appealing from a lifestyle perspective. You can talk and drink water while wearing them, and they don’t create the claustrophobic feeling some people experience with CPAP masks.
Experience Better Sleep with Roman Dental Arts Today
Don’t let sleep apnea continue to rob you of restful nights and energetic days. Our comprehensive approach to sleep apnea treatment combines traditional oral appliances with innovative laser therapy to provide effective, comfortable solutions tailored to your needs.
Dr. Donald Roman and Dr. Alissa Roman bring decades of combined experience in helping patients achieve better sleep through advanced dental sleep medicine. Our warm, welcoming team understands how sleep apnea affects your daily life, and we’re committed to helping you find a solution that works with your lifestyle. Learn more about our practice and our commitment to comprehensive patient care. Take the first step toward better sleep by calling (201) 843-0440 or scheduling your consultation through our convenient contact form.
