R. Michael Alvarez, DDS, Inc.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
SLEEP DISORDER TREATMENT IN DANVILLE, CALIFORNIA
Sleep Disorders
Top Reasons to Visit AODTC for Sleep Disorders
What You Should Know About Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders are extremely common in people of all ages. Sometimes it’s obvious to the patient that they suffer from a sleep disorder, but other times it may not be. If you experience any of the following, you may have a sleep disorder:
While sleep disorders can affect people of all ages, it’s particularly common in older patients. If you suffer from a sleep disorder, it can greatly impact the quality of your life. Dr. Alvarez specializes in treating sleep disorders and believes that resolving these issues can improve a patient’s overall health and well-being.
OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT IN DANVILLE, CALIFORNIA
What Is Sleep Apnea?
One of the most serious of all sleep disorders is called sleep apnea. This condition can not only impact your sleep quality but can also be life-threatening. It occurs when a patient quits breathing for 10 seconds or longer while sleeping. Some symptoms of sleep apnea include:
If you believe that you or someone in your family suffers from sleep apnea, we can help. We have been successfully treating this serious condition in our patients for years. We would be happy to discuss the symptoms and possible treatments with you to alleviate the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea
What are the symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
What are some of the risk factors and causes of OSA?
What can OSA lead to?
I’m fairly certain I have sleep apnea, how do I find out?
A sleep study is the next step. There are two types of diagnostic sleep tests, a PSG (Polysomnography) and HST (Home Sleep Test). Depending on your medical insurance, you may or may not need a referral from your primary care doctor for a sleep test. Also, depending on your medical insurance coverage, you may be eligible for an HST rather than a PSG.
A PSG is more comprehensive than an HST in that it is a comprehensive recording of the biophysiological changes that occur during sleep. It is usually done at a sleep center. It monitors many functions, including the brain, eye movements, muscle activity, and heart rhythms.
If the idea of sleeping overnight in a lab is keeping you from seeking a diagnosis, the HST may be a better option. An HST, also called an unattended sleep test, can be done in the comfort of your own bed, usually done over 1-3 nights. This test monitors oral and nasal airflow, oxygen levels in your blood, and respiratory effort. Even if your insurance does not cover an HST, there are currently companies that will provide you with an HST unit for under $300.00.
In addition, if you just don’t want that diagnosis of “OSA” on your permanent medical record, paying out of pocket for an HST may be the answer.
I have sleep apnea, now what?
There are several different treatment methods for OSA. The treatment methods differ depending on the type of OSA you have and the severity of it. It is important that you know and understand all your treatment options, their pros and cons, and the risks vs. benefits of each option. It is also essential to know what you can do to try to decrease the severity of your OSA or possibly correct it.
ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY FOR SLEEP APNEA IN DANVILLE, CALIFORNIA
Dental Devices to Treat Sleep Apnea
How does a dental device treat sleep apnea?
OSA occurs when there are repeated occurrences of the upper airway being blocked during sleep. “Apnea” is defined as the cessation of breath. An oral appliance treats mild, moderate, and severe OSA by moving the lower jaw slightly forward. This movement tightens the soft tissue and the upper airway muscles, preventing obstructions while you sleep. The oral appliance also prevents the upper airway tissues from vibrating as air passes over them, thus frequently reducing snoring.
Though oral appliances for treating sleep apnea are recommended primarily for patients with mild to moderate OSA, several patients are being effectively treated with severe OSA. We can know for sure by having a sleep test with the appliance in to confirm its efficacy. Then you can make a choice. There doesn’t have to be one answer. Some patients chose the oral appliance instead of the CPAP. Some patients alternate using the oral appliance for travel, camping, or when they need a break from the CPAP. In cases where the oral appliance reduced the apneas but not to 5 or less per hour, some patients chose a combination therapy where they used the oral appliance together with the CPAP, but the CPAP was set at a lesser, more tolerable pressure. Then there are those patients who can only tolerate the CPAP for a few hours before unconsciously removing it. Those patients can keep the oral appliance next to their bed and put it in upon removing their CPAP. In summary, you have choices and options. Take control of your treatment and do what is best for you.
Is Oral Appliance Therapy for OSA covered by medical or dental insurance?
Oral appliance therapy is a medical service, not dental. Most medical insurances do cover this treatment method, including Kaiser and Medicare. Though we are out of network with many of the medical insurance companies, we can verify your benefits. We are in network with Kaiser Permanente.
Outside of the insurance companies, we do offer no interest payment plans, Care Credit, and accept all major credit cards. Our services are also eligible for Flex and HSA plans.
Our goal is to minimize your stress by providing you with optimal service.
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SLEEP DISORDER DIAGNOSIS IN DANVILLE, CALIFORNIA
Contact Our Office Today for More Information About Sleep Disorders
If you’d like more information about sleep disorders and to find out whether you or a member of your family might be experiencing these problems, contact our Danville, CA office (925) 837-8048 or our Fremont, CA office at (510) 713-6790 or request an appointment online. We conform to all state and local laws within the state of California.