Sleep Apnea Treatment

Do you wake up feeling exhausted after a night's sleep? Does your partner complain that you snore?

Dr. Travis Watson and Dr. Benjamin Shepperd in Marietta, GA, can provide effective sleep apnea treatment without the need for a loud CPAP machine. It all starts with a free consultation—book yours today!

(770) 941-6979

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A Simple Solution for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Atlanta West Dentistry in Marietta, GA, helps patients overcome sleep apnea with custom oral appliances that allow air to move freely through your nose and mouth while you sleep. Because each oral appliance is individually crafted to fit the patient, they are a comfortable solution that can eventually become an easy part of your sleep routine. Many patients prefer this solution to a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine because they:

Don't involve wearing a mask at night
Don't produce noise
Are far more portable, fitting easily into a toiletry bag
Are less expensive

Most importantly, they work. They position the jaw in a way that keeps the upper airway open, allowing more air into your lungs and helping you sleep better, without interruption. And if your partner has been complaining about loud snoring (or a loud CPAP machine), you can both experience much more restful sleep with the help of our custom mouthguards!

Woman having trouble sleeping next to snoring partner — Custom oral appliances can help you manage obstructive sleep apnea and avoid serious health issues. Reach out to us today for sleep apnea treatment in Marietta, GA.

Budgeting for Sleep Apnea Treatment

Sleep apnea treatment, including custom mouthguards, qualifies for insurance coverage under most plans. Our Marietta, GA, dental office works with most insurance providers, and will gladly speak with them directly to get you the best possible coverage. If you need help budgeting for any out-of-pocket expenses, we work with several third-party lenders, including CareCredit®.

Why Patients Trust Our Practice

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Meet Dr. Watson

Dr. Travis Watson explains why you should consider consulting a dentist about snoring and other symptoms of sleep apnea.

Do I Have Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues of the throat relax at night, blocking the upper airway and causing you to awaken very briefly. These interruptions can happen hundreds of times per night, and they are so brief that sufferers rarely notice them. In many cases, sufferers have no idea that they are experiencing sleep apnea unless someone else notices that they snore. Sleep apnea can cause:

Snoring
Feeling fatigued even after having what you think is a full night's sleep
Pronounced anxiety, irritability, and changes in mood
Morning headaches
Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
Erectile dysfunction
Waking up with a dry mouth or feeling out of breath

If you are experiencing any of these obstructive sleep apnea symptoms, don't wait to reach out to Atlanta West Dentistry in Marietta, GA, at (770) 941-6979 for a free consultation. We are also glad to help if you are simply dissatisfied with having to use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to keep the upper airway open during sleep.

Don't Wait to Get Sleep Apnea Treatment It's So Much More Than Snoring

Often, snoring is the most obvious symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. At the very least, this is usually annoying for partners, but the effects of obstructive sleep apnea can be much more serious. Here are some reasons why it pays to take action now if you are suffering from symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea:

It can lead to heart disease.

The repeated interruptions in your breathing lower the oxygen levels in the blood, causing your heart rate and blood pressure to increase. Over time, elevated blood pressure and heart rate can damage the blood vessels that supply the heart. In severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea, sufferers can face an increased risk of calcium buildup in the arteries.

It can lead to diabetes.

Obstructive sleep apnea can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The constant interruption of your breathing lowers oxygen levels in the blood, which increases carbon dioxide levels. This can lead to insulin resistance and increased glucose levels.

It could shorten your lifespan.

Sleep-disordered breathing, including sleep apnea, has been found to generally increase the risk of mortality. This is due not only to the increased risk of heart disease and other serious health conditions, but also compromised alertness that can contribute to fatal accidents.

How Atlanta West Dentistry
Treats Sleep Apnea

While every case is different and will require a unique approach, these are the general steps you can expect your sleep apnea treatment by our Marietta, GA, office to involve:

Your Initial Consultation

Dr. Watson or Dr. Shepperd will listen as you explain your symptoms. He may also conduct a dental exam, since sleep apnea patients often show signs of teeth grinding. If he suspects you could be suffering from sleep apnea, he may refer you to a sleep specialist who can arrange a sleep study. If you already have a sleep apnea diagnosis and are dissatisfied with a solution such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), you and your dentist can discuss replacing it with a custom mouthpiece.

Sleep Study

If a sleep specialist decides you need a sleep study, they will most likely send you home with a device to gauge your sleep. Often, these devices are similar to the "smart rings" many people use to monitor exercise and heart activity. They are comfortable to wear, and will provide the sleep specialist with a more complete picture of your breathing while you sleep by documenting moments of airway obstruction.

Discussing Results

If your sleep study reveals that you are suffering from sleep apnea, our dentists can work with your sleep specialist to determine if a custom mouthguard would be a good solution. If so, our dentists will take an impression of your bite at our Marietta, GA, office. Within a couple of weeks, he can provide you with your mouthguard. Since factors like smoking and obesity can contribute to sleep apnea, he may also recommend lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and starting an exercise routine.

Adjustment

It may feel a bit unusual to wear a mouthguard overnight at first, but this is normal, and you will eventually adjust. Over the coming weeks, we encourage you to take note of how you feel each morning. If you sleep with a partner, be sure to ask them if they notice any reduction in symptoms such as snoring or obviously interrupted breathing.

Follow-Up

Eventually, you will meet with our dentists again at our Marietta, GA, practice for a follow-up to discuss the results you are experiencing with your mouthguard and any recommended lifestyle changes. If your symptoms are improving, you should continue to wear the mouthguard as directed. Bring it with you to your six-month checkups so we can give it a thorough cleaning and make sure it's in good condition. Your mouthguard will eventually need to be replaced, and we will be ready to accommodate you when the time comes.

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My visit today at AtlantaWest was the absolute best experience at a dentist ever. I’m confident of their expertise and know that I am in good hands.

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Sleep Apnea Treatment

A Simple Solution for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Budgeting for Sleep Apnea Treatment

Why Patients Trust Our Practice

Meet Dr. Watson

Do I Have Sleep Apnea?