Sleep apnea is more than just snoring—it is a serious medical condition that can lead to multiple health problems. Here at DentalZen, Dr. Hani Sadek provides sleep apnea treatment that is easy, comfortable, and fits within your lifestyle.

Sleep apnea is a condition in which your breathing stops periodically during sleep, as many as 20 to 30 times per hour. Each time you stop breathing in your sleep, the resulting lack of oxygen alerts your brain, which temporarily wakes you up to restart proper breathing. Since the time spent awake is so brief, you probably won’t remember it, and you may feel like you are getting a good night’s sleep even though you are not. The constant wake-sleep, wake-sleep cycle prevents you from achieving deep sleep, resulting in a constant drowsy feeling during the day.

Types of Sleep Apnea

There are three categories of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The most common type of sleep apnea which occurs due to a physical blockage, usually the collapsing of the soft tissue in the back of the throat
• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): A less common type of sleep apnea in which breathing stops because the muscles involved don’t receive the proper signal from the brain
• Mixed or Complex Sleep Apnea: Some people suffer from a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea

Sleep Apnea Risk Factors

Anyone can suffer from sleep apnea, regardless of gender or age. However, obstructive sleep apnea is more common in males than females, and more common in older adults (40+) than younger adults and children. Central sleep apnea is most often diagnosed in people with heart disorders, neuromuscular disorders, strokes, or brain tumors.

Sleep Apnea Treatment at DentalZen

To determine if you have sleep apnea, it’s best to complete a sleep study by a sleep specialist prior to visiting our office. Depending on your results, Dr. Sadek may be able to treat your sleep apnea with something as simple as an oral appliance (mouthguard).

Oral appliances advance the mandible and soft tissues to prevent their collapse during sleep which obstructs the airway causing sleep apnea. Oral appliances are comfortable to wear and are very successful in mild to moderate sleep apnea cases. Additionally, basic treatment can be behavioral — for instance, you may be instructed to lose weight, stop smoking, or sleep on your side instead of on your back.

Improve the quality of your life by seeking treatment for sleep apnea. To get started, call our Whitby, ON dental office, and we can refer you to a sleep specialist for preliminary testing.