sleep apnea treatment nyc

New York’s Top Sleep Apnea Dentists • Located at 29th & Broadway

What is Sleep Apnea?

Apnea, Sleep Apnea or Obstructive Sleep Apnea are terms for a life threatening condition that results in the temporary suspension of breathing during a normal sleep cycle. People suffering from one or more of the following conditions may be at risk for serious systemic diseases. Interrupted sleep caused by sleep apnea can lead to many systemic disorders and diseases, including:

• High Blood Pressure

• Type 2 Diabetes

• Metabolic Syndrome

• Erectile Dysfunction

• Complications with Surgical Procedures

• Arrhythmias

• Obesity

• Heart Attacks

You may suspect that you have sleep apnea if you frequently wake up several times a night, gasping for air or choking for no apparent reason, or if your bed partner tells you that you are frequently waking up in the middle of the night gasping for air or choking. Also referred to as “Apnea” or “Obstructive Sleep Apnea”, Sleep Apnea is a life-threatening condition that should be addressed immediately.

Let the expert dentists at Core Smiles evaluate and treat you for Sleep Apnea at our state-of-the-art NoMad office.
Same day appointments may be available.

what are the symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

The most common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea are:

• Snoring

• Daytime Fatigue and Exhaustion, also known as Hypersomnia

• Difficulty Focusing, Forgetfulness or Crankiness

• Trouble Falling Asleep

• Narcolepsy

• Dry Mouth or Sore Throat

• Night Sweats

• Headaches

• Depression and/or Anxiety

how is sleep apnea diagnosed?

The Core Smiles dentists will evaluate you if you suspect you have sleep apnea. A comprehensive examination and a thorough medical history are taken along with a digital scan of your teeth and bite. The position of your TMJ (jaw joint) will be analyzed and if necessary, x-rays and/or an MRI will be prescribed. Once this data is gathered, a take-home Sleep Apnea testing device may be recommended to help measure the extent of apnea episodes that occur while you sleep and provide us with comprehensive objective data that will allow us to track your progress once an oral appliance treatment device is prescribed.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Sleep apnea may be treated with the airVata oral appliance or the revolutionary Fotona Nightlase® laser treatment. Nightlase® uses a powerful medical-grade laser to stimulate collagen contraction in the tissues of the upper airway. Essentially, this means that those tissues become tighter helping to reduce the risk that they will collapse during sleep and contribute to sleep apnea and snoring.

The airVata Sleep Appliance

The AirVata Sleep Apnea Appliance is an innovative oral device designed to effectively manage obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by maintaining an open airway during sleep. It functions by gently repositioning the lower jaw and tongue forward, preventing airway collapse and reducing apnea events, thereby enhancing breathing and improving sleep quality.

Testing for Sleep Apnea

Diagnosis of sleep apnea typically begins with an evaluation of symptoms such as loud snoring, daytime fatigue, witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep, and morning headaches. To confirm the diagnosis, a sleep study or polysomnography is conducted. This test records various physiological parameters overnight, including brain activity, eye movement, muscle activity, heart rate, airflow, oxygen levels, and respiratory effort. The data collected helps determine the severity and type of sleep apnea, whether obstructive, central, or mixed.

In some cases, a home sleep apnea test (HSAT) may be prescribed, which monitors fewer parameters but allows for convenient testing outside of a sleep lab environment. Upon confirmation of obstructive sleep apnea, patients may be considered candidates for oral appliance therapy, such as the AirVata device.

Fitting and Implementation of the AirVata Appliance

The fitting process of the AirVata Sleep Apnea Appliance begins with a comprehensive dental examination and assessment of the patient’s oral and jaw anatomy. Precise impressions or digital scans of the upper and lower teeth are taken to create a customized device tailored to the patient’s unique dentition and jaw structure.

Once the appliance is fabricated, the initial fitting appointment involves verifying comfort and proper jaw positioning. The device is designed to be adjustable, allowing the dentist to incrementally advance the lower jaw forward to the optimal position that alleviates airway obstruction without causing discomfort or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) strain.

Patients are instructed on proper use, cleaning, and maintenance of the appliance. Implementation usually involves wearing the device nightly during sleep. Follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor treatment effectiveness, adjust jaw advancement if necessary, and ensure oral health is maintained. Polysomnography or HSAT may be repeated to objectively confirm improvement in sleep apnea severity.

The AirVata Sleep Apnea Appliance offers a non-invasive, comfortable alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, making it particularly suitable for patients with mild to moderate OSA or those who have difficulty tolerating CPAP devices. Through expert fitting and ongoing care, it significantly contributes to improved sleep quality and overall health.