Enhance Your Sleep, Enhance Your Life

At Restorative Wellness Center | TMJ + Snoring Solutions, we know that sleep apnea is more than just a snoring issue — it's a real health concern that can profoundly impact your daily life.

Led by Dr. Kyle Benton, we offer personalized and effective solutions for sleep-related breathing disorders and associated conditions.

Discover a path to better sleep and enhanced overall well-being right here.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea involves the cessation of breathing during sleep, characterized by repetitive stopping and starting of breathing throughout the night.

In fact, that effectively explains the name: “Apnea” literally means “breathless” or, “not breathing”.

This condition doesn’t just disrupt your sleep but also significantly decreases the oxygen levels in your blood, posing major health risks.

It’s a common issue, but a serious one. When you start and stop breathing on and off throughout sleep, you aren’t getting the rest or even the air you need.

This simple but dangerous start-stop effect can occur up to or even exceeding 100 times per night! This has some major implications since your body needs a certain amount of oxygen to function properly.

Common Causes of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is influenced by a combination of physical, neurological, and lifestyle factors. Dr. Benton considers these diverse causes when diagnosing and treating each patient:

  • Physical obstructions: Excessive relaxation of throat muscles, obesity, and anatomical variations like enlarged tonsils can block the airway during sleep.
  • Neurological factors: Some cases result from the brain's failure to send proper signals to breathing muscles, often associated with other medical conditions affecting the brainstem or cardiovascular system.
  • Lifestyle and health: Smoking, alcohol use, and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to inflammation and fluid retention, worsening airway obstruction. Conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism also elevate the risk.
  • Genetics and demographics: Men and older adults face higher risks, and genetics also play a significant role in an individual's susceptibility to sleep apnea.

Dr. Benton's approach involves understanding these factors to tailor treatments that address your specific specific needs and concerns.

3 Main Types of Sleep Apnea

Understanding the different forms of sleep apnea is crucial for effective treatment.

Dr. Benton provides expert care for all types, tailored to each patient's specific needs.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

CSA occurs when the brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. This condition doesn’t involve a physical blockage typical of other forms and requires specialized attention for management and treatment.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

The most common type of sleep apnea, OSA occurs when throat muscles relax excessively and block the airway. It's often marked by loud snoring and excessive daytime fatigue despite a full night's sleep.

Mixed Sleep Apnea

This form combines elements of both CSA and OSA, presenting a complex challenge that requires a comprehensive treatment approach.

Diagnosis

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can only be diagnosed by a physician after the patient has had a sleep study. There are two types of sleep studies:

  • Polysomnogram (in lab sleep study)
  • Out-of-center sleep study (home sleep test)

Our sleep experts can help direct you toward the best test for your situation. In-lab sleep studies are considered by most to be the best data. However, many insurance companies dictate that physicians must first utilize home sleep studies. As result of this increased use home sleep tests have made great strides in recent years.

Dr. Benton often encourages patients to read this article about sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease and this article about sleep apnea and diabetes to learn more about how sleep apnea can be related to other existing conditions.

Treatment

Prior to any treatment, it is essential to have a comprehensive clinical exam.

Treatment for OSA may include a CPAP machine and/or oral appliance therapy. Among other options are: weight loss, surgery, positional therapy, myofunctional therapy, and other modalities. OSA is a multifactorial disease and there is rarely one magic bullet to address it.

Patients with mild to moderate apnea can see benefits from treatment with a custom-made oral appliance, while patients with severe OSA generally benefit from a CPAP and/or a custom orthotic device. CPAP treatment is coordinated with a provider who works closely with our office to develop an ideal course of treatment.

Comprehensive Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea

Finding the right treatment is essential for managing sleep apnea effectively. Dr. Benton offers a range of therapies tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient.

Orthotic Appliance Therapy

Orthotic appliances are custom-fitted devices worn during sleep to maintain open airways. They're a preferred treatment for many due to their simplicity, comfort, and effectiveness.

Types of Orthotic Appliances

Each custom-fit orthotic device addresses specific aspects of TMJ dysfunction and sleep apnea:

  • Mandibular repositioning devices: These appliances adjust the position of the lower jaw forward, enhancing airway space and reducing obstructions during sleep.

Alternative Holistic Treatment Methods

Dr. Benton also advocates for holistic approaches like weight management, lifestyle adjustments, and positional therapy, which can significantly improve or even resolve sleep apnea symptoms without invasive procedures.

Want Better Sleep?

With Dr. Benton's expertise at Restorative Wellness Center, embark on a treatment path that not only alleviates symptoms but also improves your overall health and quality of life.

Schedule your consultation today to explore your options for a restful night's sleep.