Sleep Apnea Therapy
in Evergreen, CO

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when the lower jaw and/or tongue collapse during sleep, partially or completely blocking the airway and interrupting breathing. These breathing interruptions can happen hundreds of times per night, preventing you from reaching the deep, restorative stages of sleep your body needs. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health consequences. Evergreen Dental Group offers customized sleep apnea therapy for patients throughout Evergreen, Golden, Idaho Springs, Conifer, and Bailey.

Common symptoms include chronic loud snoring, gasping or choking sounds during sleep, waking up tired despite a full night of sleep, morning headaches, dry mouth or sore throat upon waking, excessive daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and frequent nighttime urination. Many sleep apnea sufferers don't realize they have the condition because the symptoms occur during sleep. A partner or family member is often the first to notice the warning signs.

Several factors can increase your risk of obstructive sleep apnea, including being overweight or obese, being over the age of 55, being male, having a family history of sleep apnea, consuming alcohol or tobacco (especially before bed), using certain medications for sleep or anxiety, having a thick neck circumference, and having anatomical features like a deviated septum or enlarged tonsils. However, sleep apnea can affect anyone regardless of these risk factors.

Untreated sleep apnea is linked to numerous serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, weight gain, memory problems, and an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents due to daytime drowsiness. In the most severe cases, sleep apnea can even contribute to premature death. Seeking treatment isn't just about feeling more rested. It's about protecting your long-term health.

Sleep apnea is typically diagnosed through a sleep study (polysomnography), which can be conducted at a sleep clinic or, in some cases, at home with a portable monitoring device. The study tracks your breathing, heart rate, oxygen levels, and other vital signs throughout the night. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, talk to your primary care doctor about getting referred for a sleep evaluation before scheduling treatment at our Evergreen, CO office.

Oral appliance therapy uses a small, custom-made device that resembles a sports mouthguard or retainer to treat sleep apnea. The appliance gently repositions your lower jaw and tongue forward during sleep, keeping your airway open and allowing for uninterrupted breathing. It's a mask-free, comfortable, and portable alternative to CPAP that many patients find easier to use night after night.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines use a mask, hose, and air pump to force air into your airway throughout the night. While effective, many patients find CPAP uncomfortable, noisy, claustrophobic, or difficult to travel with. Oral appliances are silent, mask-free, easy to pack, and require no electricity, making them a great alternative for patients who haven't found success with CPAP or simply want a more convenient option.