As a comprehensive-care dental office in Hamden, CT, the team at Palluotto Dental is committed to the overall health of our patients. Today, we know that a good night’s sleep is intimately connected to good health. When we treat patients with sleep apnea, we know that we are helping them have better overall health and an improved quality of life. It’s life-changing for all of us!

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

A good night’s sleep is so important for your overall health and daily life. Sleeping well helps you feel refreshed and perform your best. However, as many as 25 million Americans suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a chronic condition that can make getting a good night’s sleep next to impossible.

OSA occurs due to a physical blockage, usually the collapsing of the soft tissue in the back of the throat. Each time you stop breathing in your sleep, the resulting lack of oxygen alerts your brain, which temporarily wakes you up to restart proper breathing. Since the time spent awake is so brief, you probably won’t remember it, and you may believe that you are getting a good night’s sleep when, in fact, you are not.

While anyone can suffer from sleep apnea, it is more common in men. Being overweight, having a small airway, or having a misaligned jaw can increase the risk of sleep apnea. Your risk of sleep apnea increases as you age due to a laxity or looseness in the muscles of the throat and airway.

Common signs of sleep apnea:

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

If left untreated, OSA can lead to serious health issues, including:

  • High blood pressure
  • Stroke
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Depression

OSA Treatment at Palluotto Dental

Our office team is knowledgeable, friendly, and caring—we are committed to helping our patients every step along the way from the first phone contact through all phases of treatment and follow up.

Oral sleep appliances all work by moving the lower jaw and tongue forward, opening the airway and allowing more air into the lungs. They are customized and adjustable so that the ideal amount of forward opening can be determined for each patient. There are many types of oral appliances that are approved by the FDA. In our Hamden, CT dental office we use six different styles of oral appliances in order to find the one that best fits you and your needs.

According to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, oral sleep appliances are effective in 60% of all patients with sleep apnea. In mild to moderate sleep apnea, this number is closer to 70%.

Getting Started

During your consultation appointment at our Hamden, CT dental office, we will go over all the available treatment options and explain how oral appliances work, what to expect in terms of getting used to the appliance, comfort, potential side effects, care, and maintenance of an appliance.

As with any treatment, follow-up appointments at our Hamden, CT office are important to ensure that your treatment is effective. We also work closely with your general physician and your sleep physician to keep them informed of your progress.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, contact us and schedule an exam and consultation with Dr. Palluotto.