A NATURAL-LOOKING ALTERNATIVE TO AMALGAM FILLINGS

Approximately 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, a condition that blocks the airway when you sleep. The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which results from the intermittent relaxation of the throat muscles. Left untreated, this condition can result not only in chronic fatigue and irritability but can increase your risk of physical health problems like high blood pressure and strokes. Fortunately, Dr. Kinder and Dr. Whitaker offer sleep apnea treatment at our Knoxville, TN, practice to open up your airway and improve the quality of your sleep and daytime life.

Since opening our practice in 1990, Dr. Kinder and Dr. Whitaker have become trusted dentists for individuals who suffer from sleep apnea. Our dental practice has a reputation for improving the health and appearance of patients’ smiles by combining technology, science, and artistry into a unique and beautiful smile for each individual.

WHAT TYPES OF SLEEP APNEA ARE THERE?

There are basically three types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of this breathing disorder. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused when a blockage (usually the tongue or soft palate tissue) interferes with breathing by narrowing or completely obstructing the airway. While a number of factors can increase your vulnerability to this form of the condition, obesity is a common and significant risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea

Patients with central sleep apnea experience blockage of the airway due to faulty brain signals. As the name implies, complex sleep apnea consists of some combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. However, both of these forms of sleep apnea are much less common.

All forms of sleep apnea interfere with the natural sleep cycle. Some individuals may rouse hundreds of times within the night. This results in poor sleep and daytime fatigue. In turn, this can make even routine activities dangerous, particularly driving.

EXPLORING CANDIDACY

One question our Knoxville office often fields is, “When should I see a doctor about my symptoms?” While snoring alone is not necessarily a sign of a serious health issue, you may want to consider scheduling a consultation with a dentist or sleep specialist if you:

  • Snore loudly enough to disturb your partner at night
  • Frequently wake up with a dry or sore throat
  • Have headaches in the morning
  • Suffer from restlessness or insomnia
  • Often wake up gasping for air
  • Become sleepy when driving
  • Struggle to focus at work
  • Are forgetful, irritable, or experience frequent mood changes
  • Have high blood pressure

Oral appliance therapy is usually recommended to patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea. Severe or more complex issues may also require the use of a CPAP machine or even surgery. During a comprehensive evaluation at our Knoxville practice, we can determine which method will be most beneficial for you. If necessary, we may recommend a sleep study to confirm the proper diagnosis.

RISK FACTORS

Even if you do not notice specific symptoms, patients who have certain risk factors for OSA can also benefit from an examination at our Knoxville dental office. Leading risk factors for OSA and other forms of sleep apnea include:

  • Obesity
  • Chronic nasal congestion
  • Tobacco use
  • Diabetes
  • Asthma
  • Family history of sleep apnea

If one or more of these risk factors apply to you, it may be worth your time to schedule a consultation.












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