Sleep Apnea FAQ

Have more questions about sleep apnea? Not to worry. Our dentist and team offer FAQs to help answer any questions you may have. We also encourage you to schedule an in-dept consultation at Sleep Better, Live Better Inc. with Dr. Shirley Molina for more specific questions you may have about your personal care. Email us at info@sblbinc.com to schedule your visit and discuss your sleep apnea treatment in Roslyn Heights, New York.

How common is obstructive sleep apnea?
It is estimated that as many as 15 million people suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Many people with this condition are unaware that they have it and wake feeling as if they have received little or no sleep because they have spent the night fighting to breathe normally and receive needed oxygen.

How is obstructive sleep apnea diagnosed?
Obstructive sleep apnea needs to be diagnosed by a sleep physician. If you suspect that you or a loved one may have obstructive sleep apnea, we recommend contacting your regular physician. They can refer you to a specialist and help you make arrangements to participate in a sleep study to diagnose the problem and determine how severe your obstructive sleep apnea is.

What are the signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea?
Common signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:

• Snoring, especially with pauses in breathing
• Insomnia
• leepiness and fatigue during the day
• Restless sleep and frequent nighttime urination
• Falling asleep while driving, working and reading
• Gasping and choking sensations and sounds while asleep
• A sore throat upon waking
• Headaches upon waking
• Depression, anxiety and mood changes
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty concentrating and memory impairment

How is obstructive sleep apnea treated?
The two most common treatments for obstructive sleep apnea are CPAP machines and oral appliance therapy. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is a machine that sits beside your bed and blows air through an attachable mask to keep your airways open and help you breathe easily. While CPAP is the gold standard in obstructive sleep apnea treatment and can provide outstanding long-term results, many people find that they cannot tolerate this treatment and receive oral appliance therapy as an alternative. Oral appliances are designed to fit comfortably and help keep your airways open while asleep so that you can breathe normally. In severe cases, surgical procedures may be recommended to treat obstructive sleep apnea.

What happens if obstructive sleep apnea is untreated?
Obstructive sleep apnea is linked to a number of other medical issues, as well as lifestyle risks. These include:

• An increased risk of accidents while driving and at work
• Heart disease and stroke
• Weight gain
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• High blood pressure
• Liver problems
• Problems with the respiratory and immune systems
• Problems with hormone production
• Poor overall quality of life

What should I do if I think I might have obstructive sleep apnea?
Luckily, Dr. Molina provides an online assessment for you to fill out. Depending on the ranking of your answers, our dentist will be able to determine if you need treatment. To take the assessment, click here.

Will my insurance cover treatment for obstructive sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea treatments are often covered by most medical insurance providers and Medicare. Your dental insurance provider will not provide coverage, as obstructive sleep apnea is considered a medical condition. We recommend checking with your insurance to verify your coverage.

How does oral appliance therapy work?
Oral appliance therapy works by gently repositioning the lower jaw into a slightly forward position. This moves the tongue forward and tightens the soft tissues of the throat, keeping the airway open and creating better muscle tone in the area so that you can breathe naturally and easily.

Who is a good candidate for oral appliance therapy?
Oral appliance therapy is a good option for people who suffer from mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Candidates for oral appliance include:

• Anyone who snores
• Anyone who has already been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea
• Anyone who cannot tolerate a CPAP machine
• Anyone suffering from the signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea
• Patients who are diagnosed with mild to moderate OSA and even patients that are diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea but refuse to wear a CPAP or are not compliant with CPAP therapy.

Is oral appliance therapy comfortable?
Yes. Oral appliances are designed to be comfortable and non-invasive.

Is it hard to adjust to wearing an oral appliance?
No. Using an oral appliance is similar to using an orthodontic retainer. You should be able to adjust to wearing the appliance without difficulty.

Are there any health concerns associated with wearing an oral appliance?
Oral appliances work by positioning your jaw slightly forward. Because of this, it is important that you receive care from a trained and qualified doctor. Your bite, gums and jaw joint will all need to be carefully evaluated and taken into account to ensure that your appliance fits and functions properly and does not cause any problems for other aspects of your oral or overall health.

Will my snoring go away?
Over time, your snoring should gradually diminish as your obstructive sleep apnea is treated.

I have a CPAP machine already. Will an oral appliance still work for me?
If you have a CPAP machine and can comfortably and consistently use it, we recommend that you continue to do so. CPAP is the gold standard in obstructive sleep apnea treatment and can provide you with excellent long-term results. However, if you do not use your CPAP machine regularly or cannot tolerate using it, then an oral appliance is a good alternative. Please schedule a consultation with our dentist to determine if oral appliance therapy is a good option for you.

I see ads for less expensive oral appliances. Can I use one of those instead?
Absolutely not. We strongly recommend that you do not use any oral appliances or gadgets that you see advertised “over the counter”. Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious medical condition and requires treatment from a sleep physician. If you are receiving an oral appliance, you will need to seek treatment from a doctor trained in providing this appliance. The effectiveness of your oral appliance will also need to be monitored, and the appliance itself may require adjustments from time to time to ensure that it is functioning properly and providing you with the best results.