Sleep Apnea is well-known as being related to snoring, but most people are unaware that it is also a potentially life-threatening disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. Continued disruption of breathing causes an imbalance between carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the bloodstream, as not enough carbon dioxide is exiting and not enough oxygen is entering the body. People with Sleep Apnea partially awaken many times a night as they struggle to breathe, often accompanied by loud snoring or a choking sensation.
 
Sleeping masks were traditionally used to keep the patient’s airways open while they slept, but advances in sleep dentistry provide some less intrusive options such as dental devices that gently coax the lower jaw forward. San Bruno Dental Medicine, highly trained in the area of sleep dentistry with over 20 years’ experience, utilizes these devices and they have proven quite effective in preventing the tongue from blocking the main air passage.

Benefits of Using a Dental Device to Treat Sleep Apnea:

• Considerable reduction in paused breathing for patients with mild-to-moderate apnea, especially if the patient sleeps either on their back or stomach.
• Improved, healthier sleep
• Reduction in the frequency and volume of snoring
• Higher compliance rates than with CPAP masks

What does sleep apnea treatment involve?
Initially, we conduct tests in order to investigate, diagnose, and pinpoint a suitable treatment. San Bruno Dentistry utilizes the Sleep Solution test to treat Sleep Apnea. This is a comfortable, reliable at-home sleep study, offering an alternative to traditional laboratory sleep studies. We may also advise that you discontinue habits that aggravate Sleep Apnea such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and tranquilizer use.

If you suspect you have Sleep Apnea, contact a dental professional immediately who has specialized training in the area of sleep dentistry as this is a serious and potentially life-threatening problem if left untreated.

Many new patients come to me expressing fear and hesitation because of dental phobia. If you suffer with a similar problem, you should know that this issue is fairly common for many people. However, dental phobia can result in neglected oral care and long-term problems that become difficult and costly to repair. But there are is an easier way, and you now have many options available to you through Sedation Dentistry.

When you arrive for your consultation, we will begin by discussing advancements in modern sedation dentistry and how it has improved the experience for patients like yourself who suffer from dental phobia. Sedation Dentistry refers to the practice of administering specific sedatives that will reduce your anxiety and enable you to become quite relaxed. Through the use of Sedation Dentistry, your visits to San Bruno Dental Medicine will be anxiety-free from start to finish.

Everyone reacts differently to different types of sedation so there are many factors to take into account (such as physical structure and mindset) when choosing your best sedation option. We work closely with you to match your needs with the appropriate sedation option for you. We also keep you fully informed every step of the way about the specific type of sedation chosen for you. Some of these include:

• Inhalation Sedation
• Oral Sedation
• IV (Intravenous) Sedation
• General Anesthesia (GA)

A controlled and regulated approach to your chosen level of sedation allows us to monitor your comfort throughout the duration of your treatment and ensure that your post-procedure experience leaves you feeling refreshed and renewed. With Sedation Dentistry at our Restorative Dentistry, CA Office you can now achieve the beautiful smile that you have always wanted without fear, stress or anxiety.