Snoring & Sleep Apnea

If you snore at night, you may have sleep apnea. This condition causes disruptions to your breathing while you sleep and can lead to other serious health issues. Dr. Turk uses modern dental technology to not only diagnose sleep apnea but to create custom oral devices to help you breathe easier while you sleep. If you are ready for a good night’s sleep, call or book online to make an appointment with Dr. Turk at his practice, located in Woodland Hills, California.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a medical condition where you experience disruptions to your breathing while you sleep. The disruptions are caused by the soft tissues of your throat relaxing and dropping into the throat, blocking the passage of air. These disruptions can last from just a few seconds to as long as a few minutes. The breaks in breathing may only occasionally occur or could be as frequent as 30 times or more times per hour. The breaks in breathing disrupt your sleep because you will emerge from a deep sleep to a light sleep, or even wake up. These disruptions result in poor sleep, which causes a range of symptoms and risks.

What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?

Symptoms can be mild or nonexistent or they can be severe such as snoring, snorting, or choking while asleep. You may also experience:

• Daytime sleepiness
• Irritability
• Other signs of poor sleep

How will the dentist diagnose sleep apnea?

Dr. Turk is often able to identify sleep apnea with the images provided by a dental CT scan. These 3-D images encompass the head and neck, which can reveal obstructions in your throat. If Dr. Turk suspects you have sleep apnea, he will set you up with a sleep study and work with you from diagnosis through treatment to help you breathe easily at night and enjoy deep restorative sleep.

How does the dentist treat sleep apnea?

If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, Dr. Turk will fit you with a custom oral appliance. Sleep apnea appliances help to hold your jaw in a specific position that prevents your throat from loosening and allowing soft tissue to descend into your airways and disrupt your breathing while you sleep. The appliances are made from soft, medical-grade plastic and are comfortable to wear throughout the night. Many patients prefer using these appliances instead of a CPAP machine.

If you snore and suffer from daytime drowsiness, make an appointment with Dr. Turk for an exam and CT scan to see if you show other signs of sleep apnea. Getting enough good sleep is critical to your overall health and well-being.

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