Sleep Apnea Treatment in Lakewood, CA

A Better Night’s Sleep Starts Here

If you’re struggling with loud snoring, waking up gasping for air, or feeling exhausted during the day, you may be dealing with sleep apnea. At Dr. Peña’s dental office in Lakewood, CA, we not only help protect your teeth and gums, but we also play a role in helping patients address sleep-related breathing disorders.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This can happen dozens or even hundreds of times a night, depriving your body of oxygen and disrupting your rest.

Common symptoms include:

• Loud, chronic snoring
• Pauses in breathing during sleep
• Morning headaches
• Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Brain fog

If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other serious health problems.

How We Screen for Sleep Apnea

As part of our commitment to your overall health, we screen all our patients for sleep apnea. If we notice symptoms or risk factors, we recommend a sleep study with your physician. If you don’t currently have a doctor, we can refer you to one who can help with diagnosis and medical management.

Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea

For patients who are already diagnosed with sleep apnea, Dr. Peña offers a comfortable and convenient alternative to traditional CPAP treatment: the 3D Silent Nite Sleep Appliance from Glidewell. This custom oral appliance gently repositions your jaw to keep your airway open while you sleep. Many patients appreciate it as:

• An alternative to CPAP for mild to moderate sleep apnea
• A travel-friendly solution
• A quiet, non-invasive option for improved sleep

You can still use your CPAP machine at home while using the Silent Nite appliance for travel or situations where a CPAP isn’t practical.

Sleep Apnea FAQs

Can a dentist help with sleep apnea?

Yes. While dentists don’t diagnose sleep apnea, we can identify warning signs, recommend a sleep study, and provide oral appliances that treat certain cases of the condition.

What is the Silent Nite sleep appliance?

It’s a custom-made oral device designed to keep your airway open by gently repositioning your jaw while you sleep.

What happens if you don’t treat sleep apnea?

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health risks such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and decreased quality of life.

What if I already use a CPAP?

You can use both. Many patients keep their CPAP for home use and choose an oral appliance for travel or when a CPAP isn’t convenient.

Does insurance cover oral appliance therapy?

It depends on your insurance carrier and type of coverage. Some medical insurance plans will cover oral appliance therapy for diagnosed sleep apnea; others may not. We offer flexible payment options for our patients who are interested in the Silent Nite sleep appliance.

What’s the life expectancy of someone with sleep apnea?

When untreated, sleep apnea can shorten lifespan due to associated health risks. Effective treatment can greatly improve both the quality and length of life.