Sleep Apnea
Do you snore?
Do you wake up unrefreshed and tired?
Do you have difficulty concentrating?
Do you fall asleep at inappropriate times or during mundane activities?
Do you feel irritable or forgetful?
Do you wake up abruptly, choking or gasping for breath?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Burch will determine if you are a candidate for a minimally invasive, simple solution – a sleep appliance. Obstructive sleep apnea and snoring can occur when soft tissues of the mouth collapse to block airflow. With snoring, the loose tissues vibrate. With the more serious obstructive sleep apnea, breathing stops for 10 seconds or longer, repeatedly during the night. This inhibits a person's ability to achieve deep, REM sleep. When the body does not breathe, it alerts the brain, and sometimes people wake up choking, coughing, or gasping for air. This is the body's attempt to resolve the situation immediately. Sleep apnea increases a person's potential for heart attack and serious health conditions.
In many cases, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea can be relieved by repositioning the mouth so that soft tissues do not block airflow. An oral appliance, such as the Somnodent MAS, worn while sleeping, will hold the lower jaw forward just enough to allow free airflow. Sleepguards do not work for every patient, and Dr. Burch will combine the information from the sleep lab with his evaluation of your tonsils, adenoids, tongue, and shape of your oral cavity to determine if neuromuscular orthodontics, surgery, or a CPAP is your best option.
Discover a new age in dental science and a new perspective on dental visits. At Precision Comfort Dentistry, technology and compassion blend to provide an excellent experience and based on optimal comfort, longevity, and function. Call to reserve your consultation with Dr. Stephen Burch. Located in McLean, our dental office serves patients from Arlington, Bethesda, and surrounding areas – and we would be honored to give your smile a bright future.