What is sleep apnea treatment?
Sleep apnea is recognized as recurrent pauses in breathing during sleep. This is caused by the muscles relaxing and gravity pulling your airway closed. The momentary suffocation that happens produces excessive stress on the body, which can cause conditions such as memory loss, mood shifts, weight gain, fatigue, and hypertension.
There are many sleep apnea alternatives to try, varying from airway surgeries like an adenoidectomy, maxillofacial surgery, or tonsillectomy, to a CPAP machine. If none of these solutions have appealed to you, our sleep apnea dentists in Washington, DC, Rockville, and Gaithersburg offer customized night guards as a treatment option for children and adults. Schedule an appointment at the office nearest you today.
Sleep apnea treatment FAQs
Potential treatments include lifestyle changes, CPAP therapy (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), oral appliances, surgery, and positional therapy.
Sleep apnea is diagnosed through a sleep study, which may be done at home or in a sleep lab and is interpreted by a physician. If you have symptoms, we can help guide you toward the right next steps.
Maintaining a healthy weight, sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol before bed, and quitting smoking can all help reduce sleep apnea symptoms, often alongside an oral appliance.
Who is a candidate for sleep apnea treatment?
Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children. However, the most common factors that contribute to sleep apnea include being overweight, family history, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. If you suffer from snoring, daytime fatigue, or waking up feeling unrested frequently, then you may have this disorder.
Of course, a proper diagnosis is necessary for adequate treatment. So, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to schedule an appointment at Dlight Dental for a consultation. We can guide you toward the best solution for your specific needs.
What are the benefits of sleep apnea treatment?
Sleep apnea treatment at Dlight Dental delivers a range of advantages, providing relief and improving total wellness for individuals suffering from this sleep disorder. The benefits include:
- Raised energy and reduced daytime exhaustion
- Improved focus and alertness
- Reduced likelihood of stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure
- Boosted mood
- Better overall wellness
- Decreased risk of car accidents and better driving safety
- Reduced snoring, leading to enhanced sleep quality
- Increased oxygen levels in the body, resulting in improved organ function
What can I expect from sleep apnea treatment?
Sleep apnea treatment at Dlight Dental uses what's known as oral appliance therapy (OAT), which may be an extremely effective solution for sleep apnea. It is a custom-made device that fits in your mouth at night. It is often compared to a mouth guard for sporting events. The major difference is that instead of protecting your teeth from injury, it gently pulls the jaw into a forward position to keep your airway open.
There are many different versions on the market, so our team will work together with you to ensure you get the right one for you. This may be determined after we conduct an examination of your tongue, airway, teeth, and jaw. You will also have oral x-rays taken so that we are able to create detailed impressions of your teeth for your oral appliance.
What to expect after sleep apnea treatment
Once your dental appliance has been made at a high-tech dental laboratory, you will return to our office for a fitting. Our professionals at Dlight Dental will let you know when to set up a follow-up appointment. During this visit, we can adjust and fit the device to make it as comfortable as possible. We also educate you on how to properly clean and care for the oral appliance. Remember to book annual appointments at the office nearest you to ensure that your appliance is still in good condition and working effectively. It should last a long time when properly cared for.
Get a good night's sleep
If your breathing was interrupted numerous times during the day from your airway being obstructed, you would likely ask for help right away. However, if the exact same thing occurs during your sleep, it can be all too easy to ignore as you may not remember it when you wake up. If you think you might be suffering from sleep apnea, or if you have a child who is, we urge you to set up an appointment with our team across Washington DC, Rockville, and Gaithersburg at your first convenience.
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What our patients say
“I hate that I waited so long to come here! I had a wonderful experience. Everyone from the front desk to the X-ray tech, to the dental hygienist to the dentist are amazing!…”
“Dr. Li carefully evaluated my periodontal condition and explained everything to me in a clear and reassuring way. She recommended deep cleaning as the first step and answered all my questions patiently. She is very professional…”
“Dr. Chen replaced two fillings during my most recent appointment. He was gentle and thorough and explained everything to me. His assistant was great, too. The estimate I received ahead of time was accurate. Great practice. I highly recommend it!”
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“This dental office met all of my requirements. The dentist, assistants and office staff are some of the best I have ever encountered. Dlight Dental offers a complete dental service.”
“I previously saw a different team though was pleasantly surprised when Dr. Schulz did my cleaning. He was gentle, attentive and thorough.”
“My family member required comprehensive dental care and a clear diagnosis. Over the past three years we had visited multiple dentists — Dlight Dental finally gave us answers and a plan we trust.”
We Accept Insurance
Dlight Dental accepts most major PPO insurance plans and will help maximize your benefits. We also offer flexible financing through CareCredit and Proceed Finance to keep high-quality care within reach across our Washington DC, Rockville, and Gaithersburg offices.
Questions about investing in your dental health? Contact the office nearest you — our team is ready to help.
Contact UsThree locations, one standard of care
Each Dlight Dental office offers the same patient-first approach. Choose the location that is most convenient for you.
Washington DC
1212 New York Ave NW, STE 425
Washington, DC 20005
Mon–Thu: 8am–5pm | Fri: 8am–4pm
Visit our Washington DC office →Rockville, MD
9600 Blackwell Rd, Suite 101
Rockville, MD 20850
Mon–Thu: 8am–5pm | Fri: 8am–4pm
Visit our Rockville office →Gaithersburg, MD
6 Montgomery Village Ave, STE 300
Gaithersburg, MD 20879
Mon–Thu: 8am–5pm | Fri: 8am–4pm
Visit our Gaithersburg office →Your smile, our delight
Feel the difference of specialized, coordinated dental care across Washington DC, Rockville, and Gaithersburg. Flexible insurance and financing options keep your experience stress-free and focused on you.
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