Sleep Apnea Treatment

At Sala Family Dentistry in Reno, NV, we recognize that sleep apnea not only affects your sleep but can also have a significant impact on your overall health and well-being. That’s why we offer a comprehensive, patient-focused approach to diagnosing and treating sleep apnea, helping you regain control of your sleep and health.

We specialize in oral appliance therapy, a highly effective and comfortable alternative to CPAP machines for many patients. Our goal is to provide you with a solution that fits your lifestyle, ensuring restful nights and healthier days.

While sleep apnea is often treated by a primary care doctor, sleep specialist, or ENT, dentists play a critical role, particularly in offering dental-based treatments. Oral appliance therapy is one of the most comfortable, non-invasive treatment options available, especially for those who find CPAP machines challenging to use.

At Sala Family Dentistry, we create custom-fitted oral appliances designed to reposition your jaw or tongue to keep your airway open while you sleep. This treatment is highly effective for those with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and offers several advantages:

• Comfort and Ease of Use: Oral appliances are lightweight, portable, and easy to wear, making them a comfortable alternative to CPAP machines.
• Discreet and Portable: Unlike CPAP machines, oral appliances are small and discreet, making them ideal for travel and daily use.
• Improved Compliance: Many patients find oral appliances easier to use consistently compared to CPAP machines, which can lead to better treatment outcomes.
• Collaboration with Your Medical Team: We collaborate with your sleep specialist or medical team to ensure that you receive the most effective treatment for your condition.

At Sala Family Dentistry, we’ve designed a step-by-step treatment process to ensure that your sleep apnea is properly diagnosed and treated. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Initial Consultation

The process starts with a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, medical history, and concerns. During this consultation, we will:

• Discuss your sleep patterns, snoring habits, and any daytime fatigue you may be experiencing.
• Review your medical history, including any existing conditions like hypertension or diabetes, which may be linked to sleep apnea.
• Determine if you are a candidate for a home sleep study, which is typically the next step in the diagnostic process.

2. Home Sleep Study

If we suspect sleep apnea, we’ll provide a home sleep monitor so that you can conduct the study in the comfort of your own home. This portable, easy-to-use device records your breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and sleep stages during the night. The benefits of a home sleep study include:

• Comfort and Convenience: You can complete the test in your own bed, without the need to stay overnight in a sleep clinic.
• Accurate Diagnosis: The data collected will be reviewed by a certified sleep specialist, who will provide a detailed report.

3. Custom Oral Appliance Therapy

If your sleep study confirms a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, we may recommend oral appliance therapy. Here’s how the process works:

• Impressions and Fitting: We’ll take detailed impressions of your teeth and mouth to create a custom oral appliance that fits you perfectly.
• Appliance Delivery: Once your appliance is ready, we’ll schedule a fitting appointment to ensure it’s comfortable and effective.
• Adjustments and Fine-Tuning: During the first few weeks, we may need to make minor adjustments to ensure that your appliance works optimally and feels comfortable.

The goal of the appliance is to keep your airway open by gently adjusting the position of your jaw and/or tongue, allowing you to breathe freely while you sleep.

4. CPAP Collaboration

For patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea or those for whom oral appliance therapy may not be sufficient, we collaborate closely with sleep specialists to manage CPAP therapy. CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, is a highly effective treatment that uses a machine to keep your airway open by delivering a steady stream of air while you sleep.

While we do not provide CPAP machines, we will work with your medical team to ensure you are receiving the appropriate treatment and help coordinate the transition between therapies, if necessary.

5. Follow-Up Care and Ongoing Adjustments

Successful sleep apnea treatment is a long-term commitment, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. After your oral appliance is fitted and you’ve started using it, we’ll schedule follow-up appointments to:

• Ensure the appliance is effective in managing your symptoms.
• Make any necessary adjustments to improve comfort or performance.
• Monitor your progress and provide additional support as needed.

Our team is dedicated to making sure that your treatment continues to work for you, and we’re always available to answer any questions or make modifications if required.