Sleep Apnea Treatment in Lindenhurst, NY

If you’re suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, Robert B Garelick, DDS may be able to help you treat your symptoms. Sleep apnea is often misconstrued as snoring. However, it is far more serious. In fact, obstructive sleep apnea can lead to asphyxiation during sleep. While a person is resting, their airways become blocked by structures such as oversized tonsils, a receding jaw, or an oversized tongue. When the body doesn’t get sufficient oxygen while sleeping, it can result in loud snoring and literal gasps for air. These disruptions can occur hundreds of times over the course of a single sleep.

How is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?

Obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed using a polysomnogram -- also known as a “sleep study.” During a polysomnogram, sleep physicians monitor sleep functioning as a patient rests overnight. In order to diagnose sleep disorders and related medical issues like OSA, the sleep physicians evaluates the data collected during the study. In the case of OSA, Dr. Robert B. Garelick will work closely with your sleep physician to treat your condition with oral appliance therapy.

If you are currently suffering from any of the following conditions, you may have sleep apnea:

• Snoring interrupted by gasps when breathing stops and starts again

• Difficulty concentrating or remembering specific details

• Acid reflux and bruxation (teeth grinding)

• Morning headaches

• High blood pressure, hypertension, stroke, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, sexual dysfunction -- all of these conditions can be associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

• Obesity -- particularly carrying weight around the neck

• Falling asleep at inappropriate times -- such as while driving

• Feeling like you are unable to get a good night’s rest

 

How can dentists treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

If you are suffering from OSA, there are luckily many options for treatment. You can treat your sleep apnea with surgery, a CPAP machine or oral appliance therapy. Oral appliance therapy is recognized as the least invasive treatment option available. Dr. Garelick works with sleep physicians to treat obstructive sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy.

Oral appliance therapy involves the selection, fitting, and use of an appliance that effectively holds the jaw forward to maintain an open airway while the patient sleeps. Dentists with specialized training in oral appliance therapy to treat obstructive sleep apnea are uniquely qualified to treat OSA with custom appliances. Since oral appliances may affect the teeth and jaw, a dentist’s expertise in these areas are required in order for the treatment to be successful.

Dr. Garelick will evaluate your specific symptoms and then will select the most appropriate oral appliance to correct the airway obstruction and breathing conditions that will ultimately make breathing easier, helping you to finally get the night’s sleep you deserve. These oral appliances are so discrete that they can fit into the palm of your hand.

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What kind of oral appliances does Dr. Garelick offer?

We are pleased to offer a selection of oral appliances to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. These appliances are FDA-cleared therapeutic devices that are durable, comfortable, discreet and highly effective. In addition, they can be customized to also treat problems like jaw pain and teeth grinding.

SomnoDent® Classic or Flex

• Patients can speak and drink while wearing this appliance

• Customizable for those who grind their teeth or for use in conjunction with CPAP

O2 Oasys®

• Treats blockages in the nose and throat that cause snoring and OSA

• This is an excellent option for those also suffering from nasal congestion

ResMed Narval™ CC

• Made of light, flexible and durable material

• Digitally designed and manufactured for a precise fit

 

Comprehensive Sleep Apnea Treatment

Dr. Robert B. Garelick, DDS, is committed to providing excellent dental care in Lindenhurst, NY across the greater Suffolk County, Long Island area. As part of that dedication, we provide comprehensive sleep apnea treatment. Our goal is not only to help you improve your dental health, but to improve your overall health. We will work with you to determine which oral appliance will best treat your obstructive sleep apnea, ultimately helping you to get a healthier, better night’s sleep.

For more information about our sleep apnea treatments, our dental health care, or our dental practice, feel free to contact us today at 631-226-1155. We look forward to hearing from you!