Helping you get the comfortable sleep you need
Sleep apnea can have a devastating impact on both your health and your daily life. The lack of a good night’s sleep may cause excessive daytime sleepiness, the inability to concentrate on important tasks, and lead to significant health problems. Fortunately, The Facial Pain Center can help you control your sleep apnea with a simple and comfortable appliance that allows you to get the sleep you deserve.
What is sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Each pause in breathing is called apnea – literally meaning “no breath” – and can last several seconds to several minutes. When breathing is irregular, carbon dioxide builds up in the bloodstream, triggering the brain to wake the sleeping person and resume breathing.
Over 20 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and it’s estimated that over 80 percent of moderate and severe cases are undiagnosed.
Common signs and symptoms of OSA
- Snoring
- Waking up with a choking or gasping sensation
- Restless sleep or insomnia
- Morning headaches
- Waking up with a sore or dry throat
- Sleepiness or lack of energy during the day
- Sleepiness while driving
- Memory or learning problems and not being able to concentrate
- Feeling irritable, depressed or having mood swings
- Weight gain
OSA is a chronic, lifelong medical condition that can affect your sleep, health and quality of life. It has been linked to hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, work and driving related accidents, and stroke. It can place unnecessary strain on relationships between bed partners, family and in the workplace.
What should I do if I think I have sleep apnea?
Take our free online sleep apnea quiz to see if you are currently at risk. If you are at risk, you will need to be seen by a sleep physician to evaluate your symptoms, diagnosis your condition, and recommend the right course of treatment. We can help you find a trusted sleep physician in the Twin Cities to ensure you receive seamless quality of care.
Treatment options
If you have mild or moderate OSA, your sleep physician may prescribe a dental sleep appliance. These appliances are custom made to be comfortably worn in your mouth. The device treats OSA by moving the lower jaw slightly forward, which keeps your airway open.
What if I don’t receive treatment?
Sleep apnea can have serious life-shortening consequences if left untreated, including:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Depression
- Automobile and workplace accidents
Our success stories
The Facial Pain Center has successfully treated patients throughout the Twin Cities area, improving their quality of sleep with our personal and compassionate approach to sleep apnea treatment. Our doctors are members of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) and have obtained the Qualified Dentist designation.
Schedule your consultation
Contact us today to schedule your appointment so you can start getting the sleep you need.