Sleep Apnea Treatment at Decatur Family Dental

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder where your airway repeatedly narrows or collapses during sleep. This causes your breathing to stop and start throughout the night. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type, causing loud snoring, choking episodes, gasping, and poor sleep quality.

At Decatur Family Dental, we identify risk factors and provide complete treatment for qualified patients as part of our dental care services.

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Common Signs and Symptoms

Patients with OSA often experience daytime sleepiness, constant tiredness, and morning headaches. Without proper treatment, OSA can lead to serious health problems, including high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke.
Sleep apnea affects both your oral health and overall well-being. Recognizing the warning signs is crucial for early treatment.

What You Might Notice:

Your sleep partner may observe loud, constant snoring, repeated gasping for air, and breathing pauses that disrupt your sleep and cause excessive daytime sleepiness.

Dental Signs:

• Dental professionals look for oral signs of sleep apnea, including teeth grinding (bruxism) and jaw joint problems.
• Teeth grinding wears down tooth enamel and can cause gum inflammation. Research shows that many OSA patients grind their teeth during sleep.

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Dental Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea

When sleep apnea is diagnosed or strongly suspected, our practice offers dental sleep medicine solutions as part of your treatment plan.

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Oral Appliance Therapy

The primary dental treatment involves a custom-fitted mouth device that keeps your airway open throughout the night. Following sleep medicine guidelines, a trained dentist provides this therapy after a sleep specialist diagnoses OSA.

These devices work well for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea. They are also good alternatives for people who cannot tolerate CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines. While CPAP works very effectively, some people find it hard to use every night, making oral appliances a successful substitute.

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Types of Oral Appliances

Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs)
These devices look like thick mouthguards or retainers. They hold your lower jaw in a slightly forward position during sleep. When the device moves your jaw forward, it also pulls your tongue forward, creating more space in your throat.
MADs are the most commonly used oral appliances for sleep apnea. They are made from safe, biocompatible materials and are carefully adjusted so the jaw position is comfortable but effective. During sleep, the appliance prevents your airway from collapsing by keeping your jaw stable.

Tongue-Stabilizing Devices (TSDs)
These appliances fit over your tongue and use gentle suction to hold it forward during sleep. By preventing your tongue from falling back, TSDs help keep your airway open.
Doctors may recommend tongue-stabilizing devices if you cannot tolerate a MAD, for example, if your dental structure cannot support a jaw-advancing device. We custom-fit the right device type for your specific needs.

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How We Create Your Custom Appliance

We use precise dental technology to create and fit these appliances properly.

Step 1: Taking Impressions
First, we take an impression of your teeth or perform a digital 3D scan of your upper and lower jaws. We also take a "bite" record showing how your teeth align together.

Step 2: Laboratory Fabrication
This information goes to a dental laboratory where technicians manufacture your oral appliance to match your mouth's unique shape.

Step 3: Professional Fitting
Custom-made appliances consistently show better results than store-bought models. Once your appliance is ready, you return to our office for fitting. We make sure the appliance fits securely and comfortably and make any needed adjustments.

Step 4: Follow-up Care
Follow-up visits ensure the device continues to fit nicely as you begin using it regularly.

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Team-Based Treatment Approach

Sleep apnea treatment often requires working with multiple healthcare providers. We collaborate closely with sleep medicine doctors to coordinate your care.

For example, patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea may benefit from using both CPAP therapy and an oral appliance together. However, for many patients with mild or moderate sleep apnea, or those who cannot use CPAP, oral appliance therapy provides significant symptom relief.

Proven Results

Studies show that properly fitted mandibular advancement devices can significantly reduce sleep apnea events and improve sleep quality. Effectively treating airway blockage can also reduce dental problems like teeth grinding and jaw strain.
Research indicates that oral appliances designed for sleep apnea treatment may help manage teeth grinding, showing how dental health and sleep health are connected.

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Our Clinical Approach and Technology

At Decatur Family Dental, we combine general dentistry expertise with specialized sleep apnea care.

Routine Screening
During regular checkups, we ask patients about sleep quality and screen for sleep apnea symptoms. We perform thorough oral and jaw examinations, looking for warning signs such as severe tooth wear or jaw pain.

Diagnostic Coordination
If we suspect sleep apnea, we may use advanced imaging or refer you for a home sleep study or comprehensive sleep lab testing. Once sleep apnea is confirmed, our procedures focus on creating the most effective appliance for you.

Modern Technology
Our office uses modern digital tools when possible. Digital impressions and scans improve accuracy and make the process more comfortable. Laboratory design may use computer-aided modeling to optimize airway opening.

Comprehensive Care
Patient comfort and long-term safety are our top priorities throughout treatment. We also address any teeth or gum problems that may arise, since untreated dental issues can interfere with sleep apnea treatment success.

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Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy

Oral appliances often have higher patient acceptance and nightly use compared to CPAP therapy, leading to more consistent treatment.

• Small design makes travel simple and eliminates the need for electricity, making treatment accessible in various situations.
• Custom fabrication ensures optimal fit and comfort, reducing side effects common with other treatment options.
• Effective airway maintenance promotes better sleep quality and reduces interruptions from breathing stops.
• Successful sleep apnea management helps reduce cardiovascular risk and improves overall health.
• Treatment may also help with conditions like teeth grinding and jaw problems.

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Who Is a Good Candidate?

Ideal candidates for oral appliance therapy typically have:

• Confirmed mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis
• CPAP intolerance or preference for alternative treatment
• Adequate dental support for device retention
• No severe jaw joint disorders
• Commitment to wearing the appliance every night
• Willingness to attend regular follow-up appointments

We perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine if you are a good candidate based on your anatomy, sleep apnea severity, and personal preferences.

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Meet the Doctor

Dr. Dahlia Levine is the founder and primary dentist at Decatur Family Dental. A Decatur native, she chose to return to and serve the community where she grew up.
She graduated as valedictorian from the Dental College of Georgia with her Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree. Dr. Levine completed advanced residency training at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center. Her specialized training includes implant dentistry, gum treatments, sedation dentistry, and oral surgery.

Dr. Levine has been recognized as a "Top Dentist" by both Atlanta Magazine and the Atlanta Jewish Times. She received the American Red Cross Educator Hero Award for her volunteer work improving oral health care for cancer patients. She also researched the connection between gum disease and overall health at Georgia Tech. Beyond patient care, she serves as adjunct faculty at the Dental College of Georgia and presents educational lectures at professional study groups.

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Insurance and Payment Options

Decatur Family Dental is not in-network with insurance plans, but we file insurance claims on your behalf. This means you pay for treatment when you receive it, and we submit the paperwork to help you get reimbursed according to your plan's coverage.
Many dental and medical insurance plans cover at least part of oral appliance therapy costs.

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Payment Options

We accept cash, personal checks, and major credit cards. CareCredit financing is available for qualified patients. This healthcare-specific credit card offers interest-free financing options with flexible payment terms and no prepayment penalties, making treatment more affordable.