Are you drowsy during the day with no explanation?

What is sleep apnea?

What are the signs of sleep apnea?

Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
Loud snoring at night
Waking up at night short of breath
Headaches upon waking in the morning
Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
Extreme drowsiness throughout the day

Alternatives to CPAP

If you have tried the CPAP and found that it didn’t work for you now there is a alternative treatment. In our office, we specialize in the use of oral appliance for successful treatment of sleep apnea and snoring. We can fabricate an oral appliance that is shaped much like boxer’s bite guard and is worn in the mouth during the night. Using a SomnoDent is a lot like wearing a retainer. SomnoDent helps keep your airway open, allowing your body to breathe naturally. Best of all, SomnoDent makes no noise. So, it is easy to share a bed again with the person you love most.

Our team can help you every step of the way. We invite you to call us at (813) 540-7467 to schedule our sleep apnea assessment visit.

How it works

Are there different types of sleep apnea?
There are three categories of sleep apnea. The most common is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and occurs due to a physical blockage, usually the collapsing of the soft tissue in the back of the throat. Less common is central sleep apnea (CSA), in which breathing stops because the muscles involved don’t receive the proper signal from the brain. Further, some people suffer from “mixed” or “complex” sleep apnea, which is a combination of obstructive and central.

What are risk factors for sleep apnea?

Is sleep apnea dangerous?
Sleep apnea is considered a serious medical problem, and if left untreated, it can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure and stroke. The ongoing state of fatigue caused by sleep apnea can lead to problems at work or school as well as danger when driving or operating heavy machinery. Sleep apnea can also cause complications with medication or surgery; sedation by anesthesia can be risky as can lying flat in bed after an operation. If you know or suspect you suffer from sleep apnea, let your family doctor know before taking prescribed medication or having surgery.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Contact our practice, and we can refer you to a sleep apnea specialist. The specialist may recommend a “sleep study” to diagnose the precise extent of the problem and can prescribe appropriate treatment. Depending on the patient’s situation, treatment may involve an oral device that we can custom-create for you.