1S443 Summit Ave, Ste 307 | Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 (630) 620-8300 dr.noto@gallerydentalofoakbrook.com

If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Dental Sleep Medicine could add years to your life. Sleep apnea doesn’t just cause loud snoring and daytime fatigue. It can also have serious, life-threatening health consequences, particularly affecting your cardiovascular health.

Fortunately, Dr. Peter Noto offers effective and comprehensive care for sleep apnea, including using the latest 3D X-ray technology. His training in neuromuscular dentistry gives him detailed understanding of jaw alignment and function, which can play a significant role in the development of sleep apnea. Contact Gallery Dental of Oakbrook today to learn more about our sleep apnea treatment and how it could extend your life.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common condition that affects an estimated 26% of Americans between the ages of 30 and 70. OSA causes brief cessations in breathing during sleep. Soft tissues in the throat or soft palate become lax and droop, blocking the airways. Loud snoring can also result.

Many people are not aware that their airflow is compromised, although some do wake up suddenly feeling short of breath. Nonetheless, each time breathing stops, OSA patients can wake too briefly to remember. Alternatively, they may move to a lighter stage of the sleep cycle. This means that the overall quality of their sleep is compromised, and they are not getting a restful, regenerative sleep.

Sleep Apnea and Your Heart Health

OSA does not only cause fatigue and embarrassing snoring. It can have a major impact on your cardiovascular health. Consider these facts:

Many primary care doctors prescribe medication for these problems but don’t get to the underlying cause, which may be sleep apnea.
Scientists are still trying to determine the exact correlation between heart disease and sleep apnea. They speculate, however, that the frequent drops in oxygen during the night cause the heart to speed up and blood pressure levels to rise. This constant strain on the cardiovascular system can significantly damage the blood vessels.

What doctors do know is that treating obstructive sleep apnea can improve heart health and reduce the risk of a heart attack.

Wouldn’t it be nice to get off the medications and the side effects that accompany many of them?

Treatment for Sleep Apnea

Although sleep apnea can have complex effects on your health, treatment can be very simple. Dr. Noto typically provides an oral appliance, custom-made for each patient. These devices, worn overnight, realign the jaw and maintain. This tightens the soft tissues in the throat and lifts the soft palate, keeping the airways clear

Dr. Noto has advanced training in neuromuscular dentistry, a specialized branch of medicine that is effective in the treatment of TMJ Disorder. At the same time, neuromuscular dentistry focuses on jaw alignment and facial relaxation. Therefore, it also has important applications in caring for OSA.

Contact Us for Life-Saving Sleep Apnea Treatment

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or if you have any of the symptoms of the condition, it is important to seek timely care. Doing so can protect your overall health and even extend your life. Contact Gallery Dental Care of Oakbrook today to learn more about our treatments and to schedule a consultation. Reach us online or call us at (630) 620-8300.