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A full night of restorative sleep affects far more than how you feel the next morning — it shapes concentration, mood, metabolism, and heart health. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that interrupts breathing and sleep architecture for millions of adults nationwide. At Morrison Dental Care, we evaluate sleep-related breathing problems and work with your medical team to find solutions that fit your lifestyle and oral health.
Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. In the most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, soft tissues in the mouth and throat collapse or fall back, narrowing the airway and reducing airflow. These interruptions can last several seconds and may occur dozens or even hundreds of times over the course of a night.
Each breathing pause briefly reduces oxygen levels and fragments sleep. Even when someone awakens only partially, their body must exert effort to restart normal breathing. Over time, that pattern drains the quality of rest and places extra strain on the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Although OSA happens while a person sleeps, its effects are felt during waking hours. That’s why understanding the mechanics of airway blockage is an important step toward choosing treatments that restore both healthy breathing and restorative sleep.
Loud, frequent snoring is one of the most visible signs that something is constricting the airway. However, snoring alone does not always mean someone has sleep apnea — what raises concern is notable pauses in breathing or choking and gasping episodes that wake the sleeper. Bed partners often provide the most helpful observations.
Daytime symptoms can be subtle at first but become more apparent over time: persistent morning headaches, excessive sleepiness, trouble focusing, and mood changes such as irritability or low patience. People with untreated sleep apnea frequently report that they simply don’t feel refreshed after a night’s rest.
Sleep apnea is also associated with other health issues. Individuals with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, reflux, or certain cardiac conditions are more likely to have or develop OSA. Noticing a pattern of daytime impairment alongside sleep symptoms is a strong reason to pursue an evaluation.
Definitive diagnosis usually involves a formal sleep study ordered by a physician or sleep specialist. These studies measure breathing, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep stages to determine whether pauses occur and how frequently. Depending on your symptoms and medical history, testing can take place in a sleep lab or at home with a portable monitoring device.
A dental evaluation complements medical testing by assessing oral anatomy and bite relationships that contribute to airway behavior. Dentists trained in dental sleep medicine examine jaw position, tongue size, tonsillar tissue, and dental fit — all factors that affect how an oral appliance will perform.
Because sleep apnea often requires a multidisciplinary approach, our team coordinates with physicians and sleep specialists. Together we interpret test results, weigh treatment options, and plan follow-up so that care remains consistent and safe.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a widely used medical therapy that delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep. CPAP is effective for many patients but requires nightly use and a willingness to adapt to the device and mask.
Oral appliance therapy is a proven alternative for people with mild to moderate OSA or for those who are unable to tolerate CPAP. These devices are worn in the mouth and are designed to either gently advance the lower jaw or to stabilize the tongue and soft tissues so the airway stays open during sleep.
Selection of a therapy depends on several factors, including the severity of apnea, test results, patient anatomy, and personal preferences. Our approach is to present evidence-based options and support patients through the decision so that the chosen plan is practical, effective, and comfortable.
Custom oral appliances are fabricated from impressions and models of your teeth, ensuring a precise fit that balances effectiveness with comfort. Unlike over-the-counter devices, a custom appliance is tailored to your bite and anatomical needs, which improves stability and reduces the risk of dental or jaw complications.
After fabrication, the device is gradually adjusted — or titrated — to find the setting that best reduces breathing interruptions while preserving jaw comfort and dental health. Follow-up visits allow us to measure outcomes, refine the fit, and check for changes in tooth position, bite, or jaw joint symptoms.
Long-term monitoring is an essential part of treatment. Sleep-disordered breathing can evolve, and periodic reassessment helps ensure that the appliance continues to work as intended. We also coordinate with your sleep physician to review objective measures of progress and to make any needed modifications.
Beyond appliance fit, our team emphasizes preserving oral health through preventive care and regular exams. That combined focus helps protect your smile while improving nightly breathing and daytime wellbeing.
If you suspect you or a loved one may have sleep apnea, early evaluation can make a meaningful difference to sleep quality and overall health.
Morrison Dental Care partners with patients and medical colleagues to design practical, evidence-based strategies for sleep-related breathing problems. Contact us for more information about how we assess and manage sleep apnea and to learn whether an oral appliance may be appropriate for your situation.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep caused by partial or complete blockage of the upper airway. These pauses, called apneas and hypopneas, interrupt normal sleep architecture and reduce oxygen levels in the blood. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea, which results from relaxation of the throat muscles and soft tissues that collapse into the airway.
Episodes can occur dozens or even hundreds of times per night, producing fragmented, nonrestorative sleep and daytime impairment. Risk factors include excess weight, a large neck circumference, certain craniofacial features, and nasal obstruction. Understanding the underlying cause is the first step toward selecting an effective treatment plan.
Nighttime signs of sleep apnea often include loud, habitual snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, choking or gasping during sleep, and restless or fitful sleep. Bed partners commonly report irregular breathing patterns or abrupt awakenings, and individuals may wake with a dry mouth or sore throat. These symptoms reflect airway obstruction and disrupted sleep cycles.
Daytime consequences can include excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, morning headaches, and mood changes such as irritability or depression. These impairments increase the risk of work errors and motor vehicle accidents. Recognizing both nocturnal and daytime symptoms helps guide appropriate evaluation and referral.
Diagnosis typically begins with a clinical evaluation that includes a medical history, symptom review, and an airway and dental examination. A formal sleep study is required to confirm the diagnosis and determine severity; this can be done in a sleep lab with polysomnography or at home with an FDA-cleared home sleep apnea test, depending on clinical indications. These tests measure breathing events, oxygen levels, sleep stages, and related parameters.
The results of a sleep study, along with medical findings, guide treatment recommendations and follow-up testing. Dentists who provide oral appliance therapy often work closely with sleep physicians to review test results and coordinate care. Collaboration between dental and medical teams ensures comprehensive management of the condition.
Treatment options vary by severity and individual needs and include positive airway pressure, oral appliance therapy, positional therapy, lifestyle modification, and, in select cases, surgery. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most widely used and effective therapy for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea because it mechanically splints the airway open during sleep. Lifestyle measures such as weight loss, reducing alcohol use, and avoiding sedatives can reduce symptom burden and improve treatment effectiveness.
Oral appliances, which are custom dental devices, are a well-established option for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or for those who cannot tolerate CPAP. Surgical options are reserved for carefully selected patients with identifiable anatomic causes of obstruction. The best plan is individualized and typically involves input from both medical and dental sleep specialists.
Oral appliances are custom-made devices worn during sleep that reposition the lower jaw, tongue, or soft tissues to maintain an open airway. The most common type, a mandibular advancement device, gently moves the lower jaw forward to increase the space behind the tongue and reduce airway collapse. These appliances are made from dental impressions and are tailored to each patient’s bite and oral anatomy to maximize comfort and effectiveness.
Oral appliances are often recommended for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, patients who snore, and those who cannot tolerate CPAP. Candidates should have adequate dental health, sufficient teeth to retain the device, and no severe temporomandibular joint disorders that would be aggravated by advancement. A qualified dental sleep medicine provider evaluates suitability and guides the fitting and titration process.
CPAP is considered the gold standard treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea because it is highly effective at eliminating airway collapse when used correctly. Oral appliances are effective for many patients with mild to moderate disease and may improve adherence for patients who struggle with CPAP masks or pressure. Effectiveness depends on both physiologic response and consistent nightly use, so the best device is the one the patient will use reliably.
Treatment choice should be individualized based on severity, anatomy, comorbid conditions, patient preference, and tolerance. Shared decision-making between the patient, sleep physician, and dental sleep provider helps determine whether CPAP, an oral appliance, or a combination approach is most appropriate. Objective follow-up testing is important to verify that chosen therapy adequately treats the sleep-disordered breathing.
The fitting process begins with a comprehensive dental examination, impressions of your teeth, and records of your bite to create a precisely fitting device. The laboratory fabricates the appliance to the provider’s specifications, and you will receive an initial fitting appointment during which the device is adjusted for comfort and function. Providers typically explain wear instructions, cleaning procedures, and what sensations to expect during the first nights of use.
Follow-up visits are scheduled to fine-tune the appliance, monitor symptom improvement, and make incremental adjustments known as titration. Common early side effects include increased salivation, minor discomfort, or temporary jaw soreness, which usually resolve as you adapt. Long-term care includes periodic dental exams to check tooth movement, bite changes, and appliance integrity.
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea is associated with a range of medical consequences, including increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and certain metabolic disorders. Recurrent oxygen drops and fragmented sleep trigger sympathetic nervous system activation, inflammation, and metabolic dysregulation, which contribute to cardiovascular and metabolic complications. These risks increase with severity and duration of untreated disease.
Beyond medical conditions, untreated sleep apnea impairs daytime function, reduces quality of life, and raises the risk of occupational and driving accidents due to excessive sleepiness. Addressing sleep apnea can improve blood pressure control, daytime alertness, mood, and overall well-being. Early recognition and effective treatment are important steps in reducing long-term health risks.
If you experience loud snoring, witnessed pauses in breathing, or persistent daytime sleepiness, a primary care provider or sleep physician should evaluate you to determine if a diagnostic sleep study is needed. A medical assessment is essential to identify severity and any related health risks, and physicians can initiate sleep testing and medical treatments such as CPAP. Physicians also assess for comorbid conditions that may influence treatment choices.
Dentists who specialize in dental sleep medicine become involved when oral appliance therapy is being considered or when oral factors such as jaw position, tooth stability, or airway anatomy need assessment. At Morrison Dental Care, our dental team collaborates with sleep physicians to review test results and provide custom-fitted oral appliances when appropriate. This coordinated approach ensures that patients receive both medical and dental perspectives for comprehensive care.
After starting therapy, regular follow-up with your sleep physician and dental provider is important to confirm that the treatment is effective and well tolerated. Objective measures, such as CPAP usage data or follow-up sleep testing, may be used to assess response and guide adjustments. Symptom tracking and periodic health evaluations help identify residual issues or the need for alternative approaches.
For oral appliance users, routine dental examinations monitor appliance fit, dental changes, and temporomandibular joint health, and adjustments are made as needed to maintain comfort and effectiveness. Long-term management often includes lifestyle counseling, periodic reassessment of symptoms, and renewed coordination between medical and dental teams to ensure sustained benefit. Consistent monitoring maximizes safety and treatment success.
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1524 Route 9, Clifton Park, NY 12065