In today’s hectic world, sleep apnea is a sleep problem that is growing more and more prevalent. In the United States, it impacts millions of people and children. Nationwide, the affected population is more than 18 million people.
Usually characterized by shallow or stopped breathing while you sleep, it can have serious consequences if you fail to seek treatment. Even though traditional treatments like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy work well, some patients find them uncomfortable or unpleasant. As a development in dental technology, Invisalign offers an additional possible remedy. For more information on Invisalign, contact a dentist in Turlock.
Can sleep apnea be treated with Invisalign?
Understanding sleep apnea and how it affects general well-being is essential before addressing how Invisalign can help. Symptoms of sleep apnea typically involve snoring, struggling for air as you sleep, and fatigue during the day. Central sleep apnea (CSA) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are the two primary forms.
While OSA usually results from excessive relaxation of the neck muscles during sleep, which blocks the airway, CSA is caused by an issue in the brain’s respiratory control center.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. Below are a few signs of each type of sleep apnea:
- Intense snoring
- Having a dry mouth when you wake up,
- feeling exhausted even after a full night’s sleep,
- Gasping as you sleep
- Having trouble falling asleep
- Irritability
- Difficulty focusing.
The Causes Behind Sleep Apnea
Among the factors that might trigger or exacerbate sleep apnea include nasal congestion, small airways, thicker necks, and excess weight. It can be congenital, but there is evidence that certain habits and lifestyle choices might cause it.
Some orthodontic problems might also lead to or exacerbate sleep apnea. In some cases, issues with the dental arch, jaw, or teeth may cause the airway to get blocked.
The Effects of Sleep Apnea Without Treatment
Sleep apnea can lead to a number of serious medical conditions in the future if left undiagnosed. Individuals with this illness are at greater risk to experience the following risks:
- Elevated blood pressure
- Stroke
- Arrhythmias
- Heart failure
- Depression and Diabetes
- Symptoms of ADHD getting worse
- Headaches.
When referring to sleep apnea, snoring is not the only issue that needs to be fixed; oxygen deprivation can also result in long-term harm.
The Relationship Between Sleep Apnea and Invisalign
The key component is its capacity to deal with specific oral problems that aggravate the disorder’s symptoms. This involves crowding that alters jaw position and causes misalignment of teeth or jaw because of misbites, all of which worsen the disease. Ask your dentist whether Invisalign is an option for overbites, as it can also help with them.
By using Invisalign to move teeth into their appropriate alignment progressively, more room is created in your mouth and airway, which reduces the chance of obstruction as you sleep.
- Comfort
For maximum comfort while worn at night, Invisalign aligners are created on request using smooth plastic. No brackets or metal cables stick out of your mouth. Invisalign thus becomes perfect for wearing during the night.
- Attractive Treatment
Adults who have concerns about looks often put off getting orthodontic treatment. Invisalign aligners allow for discreet treatment that does not draw undue attention to itself.
- Removability
Unlike huge CPAP machines, Invisalign aligners are readily removed for meals, drinks, brushing, and flossing without interfering with sleep. This allows for unaltered sleep at night and encourages better dental hygiene.
- Gradual Adjustment
In order to minimize discomfort and gently straighten the jaw and teeth over time, the aligners are changed every one to two weeks. The perfect location is made achievable by this constant adjustment.
Invisalign is one of the only treatments for sleep apnea induced by dental treatment, even though it might not seem like a solution for snoring. Your tongue often lacks the space it requires when you have a small bite or extremely crowded teeth, which causes it to fall back and block your airway. In order to reduce the blockages and reshape and alter the mouth, braces or aligners may be required.
