You’ve heard the term “beauty sleep;” most everyone has. But do you really know just how important sleep is for your body, inside and out? Getting consistent, deeply restful nights of sleep is the foundation for health and wellness. Interrupted, fitful sleep causes untold problems, and your body could begin breaking down. Instead of prescribing a bulky CPAP machine, Dr. Stanley M. Levenson can treat sleep apnea with a comfortable, customized oral appliance that patients wear during the night.
Your snoring problem could be deadly
Sleep apnea is a sleep breathing disorder that blocks life-sustaining oxygen from your body periodically during the night. Patients who suffer from sleep apnea experience many episodes of interrupted breathing during sleep, even if they don’t awaken enough to remember it in the morning. One of the most recognizable signs that a person may have sleep apnea is persistent snoring. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but if a snoring problem is accompanied by daytime drowsiness, high blood pressure, or short-term memory loss, be sure to make an appointment to see Dr. Levenson. There’s a good chance that this disorder is wreaking havoc with your sleep.
Besides those symptoms, people who have sleep apnea are also at increased risk for:
If you believe that sleep apnea is robbing you of the deep, restorative rest you need to function well and stay healthy, call our Worcester dental office to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Levenson.
Sleep apnea causes a person to stop breathing during sleep. The cycle starts as snoring, which is the when the airway is only partially obstructed. What we call obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, occurs when the soft tissues in the back of the throat collapse, the airway becomes completely restricted, and breathing ceases for at least 10 seconds. Oxygen levels drop until the brain signals for the need to restart breathing, at which point sleep apnea patients will rouse from sleep enough to start the cycle again.
First, make an appointment to see Dr. Levenson. A member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Levenson has advanced training in dental sleep medicine and in the fabrication of oral appliances. He works with a team of professionals in the diagnostic process, and will refer you to a physician who is experienced in sleep medicine. Data such as the frequency of apneic events, pulse, and blood oxygen level are collected for accurate diagnosis. Once Dr. Levenson knows for sure whether you have sleep apnea or a snoring problem, he can treat you using conservative oral appliance therapy.
A CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device has historically been the traditional treatment for those with sleep apnea, and consists of a facemask, pump, and a hose that connects the two. While very effective when used consistently, many patients cannot tolerate the machine, finding it too bulky or inconvenient. They may also be unable to find a proper fit or experience an excessively dry mouth while using the machine. CPAP intolerant patients have an ideal alternative in oral appliance therapy, and compliance with mouthguards has been shown to be much higher than with the CPAP device.
Our practice provides conservative snoring and sleep apnea treatment with an oral appliance like SomnoMed’s SomnoDent MAS. Worn during sleep, an oral appliance will position your jaw forward, keeping your airway open and breathing regular. Devices like the SomnoDent are a non-invasive way to treat sleep apnea and snoring, so don’t hesitate to come in for an evaluation at our Worcester office.
We can help! You don’t need to suffer from sleep apnea to benefit from an oral appliance like SomnoDent. This device keeps the airway clear and prevents snoring, providing relief for you and your bed partner.
Don’t endure more restless nights and hazy days. Call our Worcester dental office for your appointment with Dr. Levenson to discuss sleep apnea therapy and snoring treatment using custom oral appliances and nightguards. Our conveniently located practice serves patients from Worcester, Central Massachusetts, Shrewsbury, Holden, Northborough, and surrounding areas with expert dental care. We look forward to helping you regain a good night’s sleep.
“I had to use a CPAP machine for the last 5 years every night. Since I travel a lot, it had to go with me everywhere. This meant going through airport security (it had to go in my carryon) and having to find distilled water wherever I landed. The new appliance fits securely in my mouth, is small and easy to carry and doesn’t need anything else. No longer do I have to run a 15 foot extension cord to an electrical outlet across a hotel room or ship cabin, or take a chance on the water leaking in my suitcase. I have used in on trains and planes. It’s hard to believe how convenient and easy to use this new appliance is. Thank you.”
~Sandra Martin-Goldman
I am a 42 year old Executive CEO. Using the CPAP machine was torture and embarrassing to me. Dr. Levenson was my answer to a better night sleep. The dental device is a piece of cake. I would recommend this to anyone. You can’t put a price on this device. It will change your life.
~S. Sewell
Epworth Sleepiness Scale
How likely are you to doze off or fall asleep in the following situations? Use the following scale to choose the most appropriate number or each situation.
0 = Would never doze
1 = Slight chance of dozing
2 = Moderate chance of dozing
3 = High chance of dozing
A score of 10 or more could mean you are not obtaining adequate sleep and should be evaluated for a sleep disorder.
Situation
Chance of dozing
Sitting and Reading
__________
Watching TV
__________
Sitting inactive in a public place (i.e., in a theatre)
__________
As a car passenger for an hour without a break
__________
Lying down to rest in the afternoon
__________
Sitting and talking to someone
__________
Sitting quietly after lunch (without alcohol)
__________
In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in traffic
