What Is Sleep Apnea?
Snoring and chronic sleepiness are both indications that something could be seriously wrong with a person’s breathing during sleep. These symptoms may point to an airway that is not staying completely open while sleeping. Snoring occurs when air is forced through a narrowed passageway, and it can be a sign of a potentially dangerous sleep disorder called sleep apnea.
At Palo Alto Dental Center, we treat obstructive sleep apnea with custom oral appliance therapy, including SomnoDent® and ProSomnus® oral appliances. These custom-fitted mandibular advancement devices are designed to gently reposition the lower jaw, helping keep the airway open during sleep.
Many patients appreciate the convenience of our in-house diagnostic option.
We offer access to an FDA-approved home sleep testing device, allowing you to complete your sleep study comfortably in your own bed rather than in a clinical setting. Once you return the device, we download and carefully review the data with you, providing a comprehensive explanation of your results and discussing the next steps for treatment. This streamlined approach saves time and helps capture a more natural night’s sleep compared to traditional sleep clinics, where unfamiliar environments can sometimes affect the quality of rest.
Why Is Sleep Apnea A Problem?
Sleep apnea requires careful attention and treatment because it’s a potentially life-threatening condition. If an air passage collapses during sleep, it can cause complete or partial blockage of the airway, interrupting normal sleep patterns and reducing oxygen flow.
Symptoms of sleep apnea can include loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, mood changes, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and waking frequently during the night. If sleep apnea is left untreated, it can contribute to high blood pressure, heart failure, heart attack, and possibly stroke.
How Can Palo Alto Dental Center Help?
Don’t be alarmed if sleep apnea has become a concern for you. This condition affects millions of Americans, and effective treatment options are available. Here at Palo Alto Dental Center, Dr. Morshedi focuses on comfortable, non-invasive sleep apnea solutions before surgical options are considered.
Custom oral appliance therapy may be recommended for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or for patients who have difficulty tolerating CPAP therapy. Dr. Morshedi provides both SomnoDent® and ProSomnus® appliances, allowing patients to receive a treatment option that is customized to their needs, comfort, and airway support.
The first step in treating sleep apnea is to contact us at (650) 494-1122 or send us an email. We’ll schedule a consultation and help determine the right solution for you.
Home Sleep Testing and Oral Appliance Treatment
Many patients who suspect they have sleep apnea are hesitant to pursue a diagnosis because of the inconvenience of an overnight sleep clinic. Our in-house home sleep testing option removes that barrier, allowing you to complete the study in your own bed while we help review the results and guide you through the next steps.
For patients who are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy can provide a comfortable, non-invasive alternative to CPAP therapy in many cases. At Palo Alto Dental Center, Dr. Morshedi offers SomnoDent® and ProSomnus® oral appliances, both of which are custom-made to fit your mouth and help support better breathing during sleep.
These appliances work by gently repositioning the lower jaw to help keep the airway open. Patients throughout Palo Alto, Mountain View, Redwood City, and surrounding areas appreciate having a dental-based sleep apnea treatment option that is compact, comfortable, and easier to travel with than a CPAP machine.
Sleep Apnea Frequently Asked Questions
Is an oral appliance as effective as a CPAP machine?
For mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, oral appliances can be highly effective, and many patients find them easier to tolerate consistently than CPAP. For more severe cases, Dr. Morshedi will discuss whether an oral appliance is appropriate or whether CPAP or a combination approach may be recommended.
What oral appliances do you offer?
At Palo Alto Dental Center, Dr. Morshedi offers both SomnoDent® and ProSomnus® oral appliances for sleep apnea treatment. These appliances are custom-fitted and designed to gently support the jaw in a forward position to help maintain an open airway during sleep.
How does the home sleep test work?
We provide an FDA-approved home sleep testing device that you use for one night in your own bed. Once you return it, we download and review the data with you, explain the results, and discuss whether oral appliance therapy may be an appropriate treatment option.
What are the signs I should be tested for sleep apnea?
Common signs include loud or frequent snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, restless sleep, and difficulty concentrating during the day. If you or a partner have noticed these patterns, a sleep test can help determine whether sleep apnea may be the cause.