Sleep Apnea and Airway Health

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. It disrupts your sleep, but even worse, it can dramatically impact overall health.

 At Eagle Dental Wellness Center, Dr. Beena John and Dr. Troy Rodriguez offer oral appliance therapy (OAT). This approach is appropriate for those with mild to moderate sleep apnea or who cannot tolerate CPAP.

The Serious Impacts of Sleep Apnea on Overall Health

There are numerous serious health risks associated with untreated sleep apnea:

• Increases cardiovascular risks, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke
• Contributes to metabolic problems like weight gain and increased diabetes risk
• Causes cognitive issues such as memory problems and difficulty concentrating
• Increases daytime fatigue and the risk of drowsy-driving accidents 
• Causes chronic fatigue, irritability, and depression that affect relationships and diminish quality of life

Oral appliance therapy involves designing a custom-fitted oral appliance to reposition your lower jaw forward gently. The device keeps your airway open by preventing your tongue and soft tissue from collapsing backward.

Oral appliances work well if you have mild to moderate sleep apnea, can't tolerate CPAP, or want a quieter, more discreet solution. Treatment is straightforward, but you will need regular follow-ups so we can ensure your appliance is comfortable and working effectively.

We also recommend periodic sleep studies to confirm that the appliance is controlling your apnea. Our dentists will partner with your sleep physician to ensure your health and safety with proper medical oversight.

Medical insurance often covers sleep apnea treatment rather than dental insurance. We'll help you understand your coverage and file claims appropriately.

You might be surprised to learn that dentists are often the first healthcare providers to notice signs of sleep-disordered breathing. For example, they may observe worn or flattened teeth during an exam that indicates nighttime grinding (bruxism), which is often linked to airway obstruction.

When our dentists notice these signs, they use cone beam CT imaging to obtain a 3-D view of your airway’s anatomy. If you haven’t already been diagnosed, we will contact your sleep physician to determine the severity of your sleep apnea and next steps.

We Can Help You Get a Good Night's Rest

Restful sleep is crucial to your overall wellness and ability to function properly. At Eagle Dental Wellness Center of Texas, we'll work with you to get your sleep apnea under control so you can get the rest your body so desperately needs. Call us at (281) 494-9191 to schedule an evaluation.

We are pleased to welcome patients from Sugar Land, Richmond, Rosenberg, Katy, Needville, Houston, Stafford, and surrounding areas who need evaluation and treatment for sleep-disordered breathing.