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Sleep Apnea Treatment

Do You Or A Loved One Snore At Night? 

At Federici Dental, we're proud to provide oral screenings and home sleep study referrals to patients in and around Manahawkin, Stafford Township, Barnegat Township and Long Beach Island. For potential or current patients looking for assistance in diagnosing sleep disorders or sleep apnea, Drs. Dave and Joe Federici work closely with your primary care provider and local respiratory pulmonologists if we believe you're a candidate for an at-home sleep study. 

Once we receive your results, we’ll work closey with you to determine the best course of treatment: CPAP (Controlled Positive Airway Pressure) or OAT (Oral Appliance Therapy). Below, you’ll find an overview of all available treatments for sleep apnea, based on the severity of your condition. 

Overview of the Types of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which the upper part of the throat – particularly around the soft palate – closes during sleep, obstructing airflow and preventing proper breathing. Sleep apnea ranges from mild to severe, and different patients may have different levels of sleep apnea: for some, OSA is simply a mild annoyance, while for others, it is a severe, debilitating, and even life-threatening condition. 

There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the throat relax during sleep, causing the throat to partially close and block airflow. In central sleep apnea, the brain does not send signals for the body to even attempt to breathe at times. Generally speaking, central sleep apnea is a more severe condition that requires more extensive treatment. 

Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) For Treating Sleep Apnea

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At Federici Dental, we use over 10 different types of FDA and Medicare approved appliances to treat OSA. There is no one-size-fits all type of appliance as no two mouths are the same. Only the most experienced dental sleep medicine dentists are trained to determine which is appropriate for your level of sleep apnea as well as your anatomical setup in your mouth. We are Medicare approved DME providers who have been approved by CMS (Center for Medicare Services) to deliver and bill Medicare for those over 65 to get coverage. You cannot state you treat OSA yet eliminate treatment coverage to your over 65 segment of patients. We have refined the process of both medical and Medicare billing to perfection in using a medical biller to maximize your medical insurance to cover the best oral appliances. We know every form that is medically necessary to submit for coverage. No dentist can use your dental insurance to cover a medical grade level oral appliance for Sleep Apnea treatment.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machines

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines are and have been the standard form of treatment. These devices use a nasal hood or a full face mask if your a mouth breather that covers the nose and mouth to force air into the airway. Sleep physicians and pulmonologists will adjust the pressures accordingly to maintain your airway open when airway blockages occur during sleep. CPAP machines are much less convenient, as they require both a mask on the face while sleeping and a secondary device to force the air, and to constantly be cleaned. Overall, CPAP machines offer the best treatment for OSA and can alleviate moderate to severe cases of OSA and central sleep apnea. The problem with CPAP is compliance. Unfortunately, with over a 60% non-compliance rate due to many factors, there needs to be a plan B. This is where oral appliances come into play. What good is having a CPAP machine sitting in your closet, it doesn't protect your life when its not in use! Oral appliances are more comfortable, offer almost 95% compliance, require no electricity, travel real easy, and are easy to clean.

Inspire (Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation) Therapy

Inspire

Inspire is an FDA approved, medical/Medicare insurance covered surgically implanted device. Inspire uses a remote control unit to activate an implanted device which senses when you stop breathing. It activates the nerve that is responsible for advancing your jaw and tongue forward, similar to what the oral appliances do.

Alternative Treatments

Outside of oral appliances and CPAP machines, there are a number of other methods that may help alleviate sleep apnea. A few alternative methods for treating sleep apnea include:

  • Sleeping on your side (only works for OSA not CSA)
  • Losing weight
  • Healthy diet
  • Controlling blood pressure
  • Quitting smoking or drinking
  • Surgery (in extreme cases)

Contact Your Local Manahawkin Sleep Apnea Experts!

Sleep apnea can be a debilitating condition, robbing you of the restful sleep you need to be at your very best - but you can trust Federici Dental to get you back on track! If you or your partner if suffering from insomnia, snoring or another symptom that may be related to sleep apnea, we welcome you to contact us today. You can also schedule an appointment online if you prefer. We look forward to hearing from you soon!