The most common symptoms of Sleep Apnea include: snoring, episodes in which you stop breathing (reported by another person), gasping for air during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty paying attention when awake, irritability, morning headache, awakening with a dry mouth, insomnia, along with so many others.

If left untreated, Sleep Apnea can contribute to serious health complications including daytime fatigue and increased risk of motor vehicle and workplace accidents, high blood pressure, stroke, cardiovascular problems, Type 2 Diabetes, metabolic syndrome, surgical complications, liver problems, depression, and obesity. In addition, the snoring, gasping, and constant worrying can result in sleep-deprived partners.

There are two types of Sleep Apnea: Obstructive and Central. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the type of apnea that happens when the muscles in the back of the throat relax, causing narrowing of the airway and cessation of breathing. The choking gasps are a result of the brain sensing the lack of oxygen and causing awakening in order resume breathing and increase oxygen flow to your vital organs. This pattern can repeat itself continuously throughout the night, preventing proper sleep. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) is a less common form of apnea when the brain fails to send the proper signals to breathing muscles.

As dentists, we often see patients more than their physicians do, allowing us to screen for potential signs of Sleep Apnea or Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders. If significant risk factors are evident based on our screening protocol, we work with sleep physicians who can make the appropriate diagnosis through a sleep study. Once a diagnosis has been made, depending on the severity and extent of the Sleep Apnea, Dr. Perez can make an oral appliance to be worn while sleeping to improve airflow and reduce the symptoms and complications from Sleep Apnea. For those individuals who are diagnosed with mild to moderate Sleep Apnea, or those who have been diagnosed with severe Sleep Apnea but who decline or are unable to tolerate CPAP therapy, oral appliances are recommended. Oral appliances fit like a mouthguard and are worn while sleeping to position the lower jaw in a more forward position. This thereby prevents the collapse of airway musculature that can prevent proper breathing during sleep.

At Boschetti Dental, Dr. Perez will be able to screen you to determine your individual risk factors for potential Sleep Apnea and make the appropriate referrals for diagnosis as needed. If your treatment plan involves an oral appliance to help mitigate your symptoms, he will work to make you a comfortable, wearable appliance that will improve not only your sleep, but your quality of life.

Call our office at 781-284-1430 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Perez for a Sleep Apnea screening and take the first step toward better quality sleep.