Sleep Apnea Treatment in Beverly Hills

Sleep apnea is a very dangerous disorder that can cause people to have many different medical problems that can lead to an early death. When the tongue blocks the back of the throat, air has trouble getting to the lungs. This can cause a lowered blood oxygen level and wake you up from a deep sleep. When obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs, the tongue blocks air from traveling down to the lungs. This in turn will create a low oxygen level in the blood which causes the brain to awaken you. Many times you will hear a loud gasp as you allow yourself to breath. If this has ever happened to you, it is very frightening.

When this is happening to you year after year, day after day it can lead to some serious medical conditions such as heart disease. Many patients report depression, loss of concentration, and report being tired in the day.

Once you come to realization that you or a loved is suffering from OSA, the first step is to have a sleep study done by a board certified sleep doctor. Beverly Hills cosmetic dentistry professional Dr. David Frey can refer you to a clinic near you. An at-home sleep study can also be done as a cursory exam to find out how severe your condition is before having the MD actually assess you.

Special X-rays known as a lateral Cephologram can determine how large the airway actually is. A Phyaryngometer can determine the amount of air volume that can travel down your throat. This medical instrument is used to determine if you may have sleep apnea.

Many different methods exist to treat sleep apnea. As dentists, we like to make an oral device or mouthguard, to help keep your lower jaw forward during sleep. The forward movement of your jaw allows your tongue to move forward and stop blocking the airway in the back of your throat. The most common treatment for sleep apnea is the CPAP machine that delivers pressurized oxygen through a nasal mask. In some cases, the bones of the upper and lower jaw may be repositioned to decrease the obstruction at night.

With more than 20 years of experience in dentistry, Dr. Frey can provide for the dental needs of all patients, including Beverly Hills dental implants and smile makeover and TMJ treatment patients. If you are interested in learning more about how Dr. David Frey can help you with snoring or sleep apnea, or full mouth rehabilitation, please feel free to contact us for a consultation today!