Have you been dealing with a sleep disorder that’s causing you to grind your teeth (also known as bruxism) or lose valuable sleep? Sleep apnea occurs when a person stops breathing for a length of ten or more seconds while sleeping. Each time this interruption in breathing occurs, oxygen is cut off from the brain which could lead to serious secondary health issues. Sleep apnea can effect more than just your daytime functioning, your physical appearance can be affected as well when teeth grinding occurs in conjunction with apnea.
So, if you have decided to get a sleep evaluation done to determine which sleep apnea treatment is best for you, then you may not need to look further than one of your closest South Charlotte NC dentists. Because there are several oral appliance sleep apnea treatment options available for patients who suffer with this condition, dentists are a part of the treatment team of physicians. Sleep apnea dentists provide consultation to patients who are seeking dental sleep apnea treatment. However, according to an article published by the Ohio Sleep Medicine Institute, patients with high moderate to severe apnea may not be a candidate for dental treatment.
The severity of a patient’s condition is, in part, determined by how many breathing pauses occur per hour of sleep. Many South Charlotte NC dentists have taken steps to become certified sleep apnea dentists who are qualified to help determine whether a patient is a candidate for an oral appliance. Oral appliances such as mouthpieces that promise to end snoring and stop teeth grinding have to be designed for each patient by custom impressions. The fit of the mouthpiece is of the utmost importance to prevent risking secondary health issues.
Now, with your sleep apnea and teeth grinding under control, it is time to bring back that bright smile. Dental veneers are a great option for teeth that have been discolored or left uneven due to your sleep apnea condition. A veneer is a thin layer of material that is applied over the front of a tooth to recreate its natural look. Your dentist will use porccelain or a composite material to create the dental veneers. Either way, you will be happy to look in the mirror at your bright new smile. Then, even happier when you leave your South Charlotte NC dentist’s office heading home to your bed where a good night’s sleep is awaiting you.
