Sleep Apnea Treatment Bloomfield Hills
Solutions for Sleep-Disordered Breathing
Lately, you’ve been feeling tired no matter how early you went to bed the previous night. On top of that, your bed partner has told you that you’ve been snoring loudly. These can potentially be warning signs of sleep apnea – a dangerous sleep disorder that can have serious consequences if ignored for too long. Luckily, Dr. Banda and Dr. Alias can help treat your sleep disorder so that you can get the quality slumber that you deserve. Call our office today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward improving your sleep.
Why Choose Cranbrook Dental Care for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
- Fully Personalized Oral Appliances
- Experienced, Knowledgeable Dentists
- Dedicated to Providing High-Quality Service
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is believed to affect about 30 million people in the United States. It’s characterized by repeated pauses in your breathing that occur while you’re asleep. The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, which is the result of muscles in your throat collapsing and blocking the airway.
Every time your breathing stops, your body is forced to wake up to try and get some oxygen. These awakenings are very brief, and you may not even be aware of them. Nevertheless, the frequent interruptions of the sleep cycle as well as the decrease in your blood oxygen levels can take their toll on your overall well-being.
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Not only can sleep apnea leave you feeling extremely drowsy during the day, but it can make it hard to focus and lead to memory problems. You may find yourself drifting off while driving, which can easily result in an accident. Some people with sleep apnea may even experience symptoms of depression.
Additionally, studies have shown that sleep apnea can be linked to a wide variety of health issues, including heart attacks, strokes, and type 2 diabetes. In the worst-case scenario, sleep apnea could even shorten your lifespan.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
If you want to overcome your sleep apnea, the first step is to have the disorder diagnosed. Simply noticing the symptoms is not enough; you will need to undergo a sleep test in order to confirm that sleep apnea is truly present.
Once a diagnosis has been made, you can start considering your treatment options. The traditional way to manage sleep apnea is to use a CPAP machine. This device uses a constant stream of air in order to help you keep your airway unobstructed. But if you find that you’re CPAP-intolerant, you may want to ask our dental team for an alternative in the form of oral appliance therapy.
The oral appliances that our practice provides are designed to move the lower jaw slightly forward. This simple adjustment can keep the airway open and significantly reduce your symptoms. For the sake of your comfort, your oral appliance will be created with your unique mouth in mind.
Understanding the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea can take a toll on your quality of life and lead to various negative consequences. That’s why it’s so important to seek a diagnosis and get the treatment you need to achieve quality sleep. However, many patients avoid getting treatment because they are worried about the cost of treatment. During your appointment with us, we will go over the financial aspects of your treatment in detail. Until then, here are some things to take into consideration.
Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Dental insurance does not usually cover the cost of sleep apnea treatment. This is because diagnosing and treating sleep apnea is not considered by insurance companies to be under the dentistry umbrella. If you have any questions regarding your dental insurance plan and what it covers, one of our friendly team members would be happy to help.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment
There are two main factors that contribute to the cost of sleep apnea treatment: severity and treatment type. If you have very mild sleep apnea, you may be able to get relief through lifestyle changes and not require more advanced treatments. If you have mild to moderate sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy is likely an ideal option. For severe sleep apnea, you may require treatment with a CPAP machine or combined therapy. Oral appliance therapy is generally more cost effective than CPAP.
Treat Your Sleep Apnea Now to Improve Your Health
Many patients complete if it is 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. Sleep apnea increases the risk of various health problems, including many that are serious and life-threatening, like stroke, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, depression, weight gain, and more. These issues will eventually result in high medical bills and a lower quality of life.
Making Sleep Apnea Treatment More Affordable
Sleep apnea therapy is not covered by dental insurance, but this doesn’t mean that you are out of luck. We are happy to accept payments through CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. For more information or if you need help applying, give us a call.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
How Do I Know If I Have Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can often be incredibly difficult to notice on your own, so in many cases, it’s up to your sleeping partner to be able to recognize the warning signs. Be on the lookout for loud snoring, gasping for breath during the night, restlessness, moodiness, lack of sex drive, and inability to focus during the day. The sooner you or your loved one notices these symptoms, the sooner you can get back to a full night of rest with sleep apnea treatment.
Am I at a Higher Risk of Developing Sleep Apnea?
While it is possible for anyone to develop sleep apnea at any age, there are some factors that can make you more susceptible to this disorder, including:
- Obesity
- Being over the age of 40
- Being male
- Genetic history
- Thicker neck circumference
- Smoking
- Heavy use of alcohol
- Certain drugs or prescription medications
If you have some of these risk factors, try to control the ones that you can. For example, stopping the use of tobacco and losing weight can dramatically lower your risk of this sleep disorder.
How Can I Achieve a Better Night’s Sleep?
The best way to achieve the rest you deserve is to pursue professional sleep apnea treatment. However, there are some other steps you can take to give yourself the best chance at a great night’s sleep. Try not to drink caffeine after noon, and be sure to work some exercise into your daily routine. That way, once your head hits the pillow, your body will feel like it’s time to rest! You can also try any activities that provide stress relief like meditating, gardening, or any other calming hobbies you enjoy.
Why Should I Get Sleep Apnea Treatment with a Dentist?
It may seem surprising that a dentist can help you achieve a better night’s rest, but they specialize in your oral health and the connected areas. In the past, sleep apnea was only treated using a CPAP machine, which is a device that forces air through a nasal mask into your airway to help you breathe. This can often be uncomfortable and inconvenient. However, treatment from our dental office utilizes custom-made oral appliances that prop the jaw open for easy breathing. These appliances are comfortable to wear, simple to use, and easy to travel with.
