General Dentistry

Sleep Apnea

Is Sleep Apnea Keeping You Up All Night?
According to recent statistics, sleep apnea affects more than 12 million Americans. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes short pauses in breathing during sleep and is often characterized by loud snoring. The most common type of sleep apnea occurs when the airflow through a person's upper airway is blocked even though the individual is still trying to breathe.

If you live with sleep apnea, your sleep cycle is disrupted and you get less rest, which may cause lack of concentration, loss of memory, and accidents in the workplace or while driving. Other health risks associated with sleep apnea include irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. Dr. Taxin can assess your condition and recommend therapy so that you can once again sleep like a baby.

A few tests can determine whether you suffer from OSAS, and non-surgical therapies may alleviate the problem. A nasal mask (cPAP) can deliver air to keep nasal passages open during sleep. Even more effective, patients may now wear dental appliances that reposition the tongue or mandible (lower jawbone). A Swedish study showed that the anterior mandibular positioning dental device (AMP) is actually more effective than surgical therapies. The same study stated that adverse health effects and appliance repairs were rare.

Enjoy a good night's sleep. Call our dental office today and schedule an appointment with Dr. Taxin. Our Hopewell Junction practice serves patients from the surrounding areas. Learn more about sleep apnea in our patient library.

©2002 Paul Taxin, DMD
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