Sam Bollwinkel, DDS

2540 S. Santan Village Pkwy Suite 104
Gilbert, AZ 85295
480-892-5089

Snoring (Child & Adult)

Adult Snoring

Treatment of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common, severe sleep disorder. Patients suffering from sleep apnea suffer from breathing problems while sleeping. Their breathing is abrupt and repeatedly stops and starts and they find themselves gasping for breath throughout the night. The irregular breathing pattern lowers the oxygen level in blood and leads to serious health issues, including cardiovascular problems, ADHD, and depression. Sleep apnea is of the following three types:

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea or OSA is the most common form of sleep apnea. Obesity or excess weight is the leading causes of OSA. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles present in the back of the throat relax and the airway narrows while

breathing. Due to this, patients cannot get enough air while breathing; as a result, their blood-oxygen-level drops. The lowering of blood-oxygen-level triggers the brain to briefly awaken the patient from sleep. This is repeated 5-30 times each hour, every night, impairing the patient’s ability to attain a night of deep, restful sleep.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is generally characterized by its most common symptom, snoring. Nevertheless, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • Loud and persistent snoring.
  • Multiple pauses in breathing.
  • Choking, gasping, or snorting sounds while breathing.
  • Waking up with a dry throat almost every day.
  • Daytime sleepiness accompanied by fatigue.
  • Reduction in cognitive skills.
  • Morning headaches and body pain.
  • Frequent visits to the bathroom during the night.
  • Reduction in sexual desires. 

How do we treat sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common, yet serious problem. If left untreated, it leads to a reduction of cognitive ability, depression, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke. The different methods of treating sleep apnea include:

Oral appliances

The oral appliances used to treat sleep apnea are custom-designed mouthpieces that enlarge the airway and provide for proper, regular breathing. They are of the following two types.

Mandibular repositioning mouthpieces: These devices cover the upper and lower dental arches and hold the jaw in position, preventing it from obstructing the upper airway.

“no child should snore”

Child Snoring

AIRWAY TREATMENT IN CHILDREN  SRBD (Sleep Apnea)

A constricted airway can severely impact the growth and development of a child and should be considered when evaluating a child’s overall health. Dr. Bollwinkel uses (3D cone beam x-ray) to take a CT scan and evaluate the airway of every patient. This can often prevent obstructive sleep apnea and improve overall health of a child.

Snoring among children is a common thing with potentially serious consequences. “Snoring is not normal. No Child Should Snore,” David Gozal, MD Sleep specialist 

Sleep related breathing disorders (SRBD), is a silent health crisis, impacting 50-70 million Americans. It is not exclusive to the adult population. Because it’s not as easily recognized in children, it is often left undiagnosed. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common SRBD in both children and adults. 

The signs and symptoms of SRBD are many but if a child has any of the following symptoms, it may indicate an airway problem and warrant immediate attention by an Airway focused Dentist: 

– Snoring at night 

– Clenching/Grinding their teeth 

– Open mouth breathing 

– Sleeping with their mouth open 

– Bed wetting 

– Excessive daytime sleepiness or hyperactivity

– Diagnosis of ADHD/ADD – Crowded teeth 

ARIZONA SMILE CENTER
COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Preventative

DENTAL ANXIETY

IF YOU HAVE A FEAR OF DENTAL WORK

Stuffy offices, callous interactions, dental anxiety and unpleasant procedures can prevent you from getting the dental care you need. At Arizona Smile Center, we’re determined to change all this! In our crisp modern office, you’ll be offered state-of-the-art solutions served with small-town hospitality. Our team is so friendly and skilled, you’ll consider them family as they compassionately care for your dental needs.

Our patients’ health and safety are our top priorities. As leaders in the community, we are raising the standard of care again by using the Solea laser and HEPA air purification systems in addition to our rigorous PPE protocol. Our Solea lasers allow for Shot-Free / Drill Free procedures and reduces dental splatter and aerosols by up to 99.9% compared to traditional handpieces. In addition to the laser we offer oral and other sedations to reduce dental fears. 

Contact Us Today

The first step towards a beautiful, healthy smile is to schedule an appointment. Please contact our office by text, phone, or complete the appointment request form below. Our scheduling coordinator will contact you to confirm your appointment. If you are an existing patient, this contact form should not be utilized for communicating private health information. 

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