Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea services offered in Bensonhurst/Mapleton, Brooklyn, NY

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects up to 25% of men and up to 10% of women. At Dental Arts of Brooklyn with an office in the Bensonhurst and Mapleton neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City, general dentist Jason Liem, DDS, and his team specialize in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea. A custom oral appliance or laser dentistry can provide relief from snoring and help you get better sleep. Call the nearest office today and request a sleep apnea consultation or book online.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea causes you to have difficulty breathing during sleep.

At Dental Arts of Brooklyn, the team treats both types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

OSA causes the soft tissues at the back of your throat to relax during sleep. The tissues block your airways, causing you to wake up gasping for air. Seek treatment for OSA if you wake up most mornings with a headache or a dry mouth.

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea affects the communication between your brain and the muscles that control breathing.

The Dental Arts of Brooklyn team can help you feel better, no matter the type of sleep apnea you have.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Symptoms of sleep apnea include:

Feeling tired or groggy upon waking up
Daytime sleepiness
Loud snoring
Insomnia
Unusual breathing patterns
Sexual dysfunction
Morning headaches
Night sweats

As the condition worsens, you might also experience mood changes, like feelings of anxiety or depression.

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

Your Dental Arts of Brooklyn provider reviews your dental records and asks about your symptoms, including how often you have trouble sleeping and if you regularly experience morning headaches.

Next, they complete an oral exam and take a series of digital X-rays, checking the tissues at the back of your throat for abnormalities or blockages. If the team confirms you have sleep apnea, they make custom treatment recommendations.

How is sleep apnea treated?

At Dental Arts of Brooklyn, the team offers several types of treatment for sleep apnea, including:

Laser dentistry

Laser dentistry uses targeted light energy to carefully remove excess tissue at the back of your throat. It also tightens your upper palate, making it easier to breathe during sleep.

Custom oral appliances

A custom oral appliance is a plastic mouthpiece that fits snugly over your lower dental arch. The appliance pushes your lower jaw forward, making it easier for oxygen to enter your airways during sleep.

Healthy lifestyle changes

If you have mild sleep apnea, the team might recommend healthy lifestyle changes. For example, losing weight, using over-the-counter breathing strips to open your nasal passages, and not drinking alcohol before bed can help you get better sleep.

Call the nearest Dental Arts of Brooklyn office today to receive treatment for sleep apnea or book online.