Comprehensive Sleep Apnea Treatment for Lansing Patients
Sleep apnea is a common, yet potentially serious condition in which an individual’s sleep is continually disrupted as a result of air being unable to flow into the lungs, preventing the person from being able to breathe regularly. Severe sleep apnea can lead to highly concerning and potentially life-threatening complications such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
At Bechtel Dentistry, we understand the discomfort and distress that sleep apnea can cause which is why we’re here to offer our help to all those affected living in Lansing and the surrounding area. We focus on providing conservative, biocompatible treatment options that uphold our holistic wellness standards. For patients who can not tolerate a CPAP, we provide a custom oral appliance option. Some patients who tolerate their CPAP just want a better option for travel so our oral appliance option is very helpful.
Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance: SomnoDent
Dr. Jonathan J. Bechtel, DDS uses a SomnoDent sleep apnea oral appliance, which is a premium, custom-fitted dental device developed for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. It is an effective, comfortable, and durable alternative to CPAP therapy or corrective surgery. By simply wearing a SomnoDent while sleeping, your lower jaw (mandible) will be moved forward into a comfortable position, allowing relaxation of the tissues at the back of your throat and ensuring the base of your tongue does not collapse and block your airway, giving you a safe and soundless sleep.
Oral Appliance Therapy at our Dental Practice in Lansing, MI
Your SomnoDent custom oral appliance will be created using physical or digital impressions and models of your teeth. We send these impressions and models to our trusted dental lab where your oral appliance is made. We’ll set up a follow-up appointment once your oral appliance has been created for a fitting. Dr. Bechtel will make any adjustments necessary to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness. Our team will go over care and cleaning instructions. After your fitting appointment, we may refer you to a sleep study clinic for observation.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
There are two main types of sleep apnea: central and obstructive. Though symptoms of both conditions are similar, their causes are entirely different. Central sleep apnea is the less common of the two types and is most often caused by hypothyroidism, a change in the ventilatory drive, or illness in the lower brainstem.
The second type of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, is much more common and is caused by an obstruction in the airway due to enlarged neck tissue and poor muscle tone. Obstructive sleep apnea is most often associated with excess weight gain or obesity but can also be the result of aging, high blood pressure, smoking, or genetic susceptibility.
Sleep Apnea Diagnosis & Treatment
If you believe that you may be experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, we urge you to contact our office as soon as possible. Dr. Bechtel has an extensive amount of experience in treating sleep apnea conditions and has helped many patients experience relief from the associated symptoms and improve their overall health with a custom oral appliance device.
Schedule Your Dental Appointment Today!
Dr. Bechtel and our Lansing, Michigan dental team are committed to providing exceptional care and empowering our patients with information about their dental health. If you have any questions about our sleep apnea and oral appliance services or would like to schedule an appointment, we invite you to contact us at 517-882-7132. Our holistic dentistry offers comprehensive treatments that promote overall wellness for our patients living throughout Lansing, Holt, Okemos, Mason, Grand Ledge, Dewitt, Haslett, Williamston, St. Johns, Charlotte, Eaton Rapids, East Lansing, and Potterville.
