Take Back Control of Your Sleep
If you’re like millions of people around the world who suffer from sleep apnea, let Dr. Jensen help you take back control of your sleep.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition in which you experience shallow breathing, or pauses in breathing, while you sleep. Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to a few minutes and often occur 5 – 30 times or more an hour.
After a pause, normal breathing resumes, but sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound, which can disrupt your sleep and the sleep of those around you. You often move out of deep sleep and into light sleep when your breathing pauses or becomes shallow.
As one of the leading causes of excessive daytime sleepiness, the condition is more common than you may think.
At Jensen Orthodontic Arts, we understand the importance of quality sleep and are committed to providing personalized care and customized treatment plans to help you and all of our patients regain a good night’s sleep through effective sleep apnea treatment.
Most Common Type of Sleep Apnea
The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. This means that your airway has collapsed or is blocked during sleep. The blockage may cause shallow breathing or breathing pauses, so when you try to breathe, any air that squeezes past the blockage can cause loud snoring.
Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in people who are overweight, but it can affect anyone. For example, small children may have enlarged tonsil tissues in their throats, which can lead to obstructive sleep apnea.
Complications of Sleep Apnea
If left untreated, sleep apnea can:
- Severely reduce your quality of life
- Significantly increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity and diabetes
- Increase the risk of, or worsen, heart failure
- Contribute to memory loss
- Make arrhythmias, irregular heartbeats, more likely
- Increase the chance of having work-related or driving accidents
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed & Treated?
Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed. Doctors usually cannot detect it during routine office visits, and there are no blood tests for the condition. You may not even know you have sleep apnea because it only occurs during sleep. Often, a family member or bed partner may be the first to notice the signs of sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is also very tough on the body’s systems and requires long-term management. Lifestyle changes, mouthpieces, surgery, and breathing devices can successfully treat sleep apnea in many people.
Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs)
At Jensen Orthodontic Arts, we primarily use mandibular advancement devices, or MADs, to treat sleep apnea. MADs are mouthpieces that urge your lower jaw forward during sleep to expand your airway.
Dr. Jensen has extensive training in the use of anti-snoring MADs to treat sleep apnea. And as an orthodontist, he’s in a unique position to deal with any rare dental side effects due to wearing the devices.
After screening for this condition at our office in McKinney, Dr. Jensen will work with your physician to form the formal diagnosis of sleep apnea.
Our team at Jensen Orthodontic Arts will then fabricate the appropriate appliance to enhance upper airway ventilation, dramatically improving the quality of your sleep and life overall.
Benefits of Treating Sleep Apnea
Depending on the severity of your sleep apnea, you may enjoy any of the following benefits from treating your condition:
Improved Sleep Quality
One of the most significant benefits of treating sleep apnea is improved sleep quality. With sleep apnea, your airway is partially or completely blocked during sleep, causing you to wake up frequently throughout the night.
By treating sleep apnea, you can improve the quality of your sleep, which will leave you feeling more refreshed and energized during the day.
Better Overall Health
Untreated sleep apnea has been linked to a range of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. By treating sleep apnea, you can lower your risk of these health issues and improve your overall health.
Better Cognitive Functioning
Sleep apnea can have a negative impact on cognitive function, including memory and concentration. By treating sleep apnea, you can improve your cognitive functioning, which can lead to better performance at work or school.
Reduced Risk of Accidents
Untreated sleep apnea has been linked to an increased risk of accidents, including car accidents and workplace accidents. By treating sleep apnea, you can reduce your risk of accidents and improve your safety.
Take Back Your Health & Happiness
If you or a loved one is struggling with sleep apnea, it's important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Dr. Jensen and our team at Jensen Orthodontic Arts are dedicated to helping you get a good night's sleep and improve your and your family’s overall health and well-being.
With our comprehensive approach, advanced techniques, and state-of-the-art technology, we can work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that meets your specific needs and helps you get the rest you need to live your best life.
Don't let sleep apnea take a toll on your health and happiness. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a better night's sleep.
