Lucas Sleep Apnea & Airway Treatment
Don’t Let Your Breathing Interrupt Your Sleep
Are you tired of waking up every day feeling exhausted, despite going to bed at a reasonable hour? Do you feel like your weekends are spent hopelessly trying to catch up on sleep? Many people suffer from a disorder called sleep apnea, which can disrupt your slumber without you even realizing it. The good news is that it’s a highly treatable condition, and with Dr. Hubler’s help, you’ll be getting a better night’s rest again before you know it. We offer a wide range of sleep apnea and airway treatments, and based on your needs, a personalized treatment plan can be put together. To learn more or to get started, just call our Lucas office to schedule an appointment!
Why Choose Lucas Family Dentistry for Sleep Apnea & Airway Treatment?
- Vivos Institute Provider
- At-Home Sleep Testing Available
- Financing Options Available
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes patients to stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night, often due to a restricted or obstructed airway. When airflow is cut off, the brain signals the body to wake up and begin breathing again, which often manifests as snoring or gasping for air. These episodes may be short, but they can occur frequently over the course of one night, and a patient often is completely unaware that it’s happening—or unaware that it’s indicative of a problem!
The Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea does more than just rob you of your sleep—it also triggers all kinds of symptoms that affect your overall quality of life and your daily routine. It increases your risk of serious health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. It also causes issues like memory loss, mood swings, daytime fatigue, and a weakened immune system. Furthermore, untreated sleep apnea even has the potential to shorten your lifespan, making seeking prompt treatment all the more important.
Common Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Sleep apnea isn’t always obvious, and sometimes patients are entirely unaware of its presence. However, some common symptoms to keep an eye out for that are often associated with sleep apnea include:
- Choking or gasping for air while sleeping
- Daytime sleepiness and fatigue
- Dry mouth upon waking up
- Frequent urination
- Headaches and migraines
- Mood swings & irritability
- Snoring
- Trouble concentrating
- Witnessed apnea episodes
If you or your loved ones notice any of these symptoms, it’s worth looking into them since sleep apnea isn’t something that resolves on its own.
At-Home Sleep Testing
Sleep apnea isn’t always obvious, and it’s possible that you might be experiencing it without even realizing it. Similarly, you might be dealing with snoring or other symptoms that seem like they’re sleep apnea, but could be the result of something else. This is why testing and getting a proper diagnosis is so important; it can help inform the next steps in treatment. Our team can help to make arrangements for you to undergo an at-home sleep test. (Note that depending on the results, it may be necessary for you to visit a doctor or undergo further testing at a sleep clinic.)
How We Treat Sleep Apnea & Sleep Disordered Breathing
Before we begin treatment, Dr. Hubler will need to meet with you to discuss your symptoms, lifestyle, and what you’re hoping to get out of treatment. He’ll also take time to thoroughly examine your airway to gain a better understanding of your condition; after all, the goal is to permanently reduce the severity of sleep apnea problems over time, not just merely mask its symptoms!
CPAP
CPAP therapy is often prescribed by a physician to manage moderate to severe sleep apnea and can be an important part of protecting your health. However, many patients find it challenging to get used to long-term. Our goal is to work alongside your medical provider to explore proven alternatives that may improve your breathing and sleep quality.
Oral & Orthopedic Appliances
Our custom oral and orthopedic appliances are designed to gently reposition the jaw and support proper airway development, helping increase airway size and improve breathing during sleep. These non-invasive devices can significantly reduce the severity of sleep apnea and snoring, offering a comfortable alternative to CPAP therapy.
Vivos Treatment
Did you know that sometimes sleep apnea is the result of the jaws not properly developing? The upper or lower jaw may end up underdeveloped, for reasons beyond your control—but it can still end up interfering with your breathing while you’re asleep. In these cases, Vivos could be the answer.
This non-surgical approach involves customized oral appliances that gradually expand and remodel the jaw and surrounding structures. Unlike therapies that only manage symptoms, Vivos focuses on long-term structural changes. As a result, many patients end up experiencing reduced snoring and improved sleep quality.
Full Mouth Rehabilitation
While teeth themselves don’t typically block the airway, having an uneven bite or a collapsed jaw can cause your throat to become closed off when you lie down, which in turn can trigger sleep apnea. With the help of full mouth rehabilitation, Dr. Hubler can use several different types of procedures to refresh and straighten teeth, improve your bite, and ensure that your symptoms are reduced and you’re getting the valuable rest you need!
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