Reclaim Restful Sleep with Sleep Apnea Treatment in North Naples, FL

Sleep apnea is a common issue in the US, affecting millions of unsuspecting people. It happens when soft tissues in the throat collapse during sleep and block the upper airway. This causes breathing to stop repeatedly throughout the night, sometimes even for over 10 seconds. When you don’t breathe for those few seconds, the oxygen supply to your brain temporarily decreases. Repeated episodes during sleep strain your heart and increase the risk of developing cardiovascular problems over time. Each time you experience an apnea episode, you are putting your well-being at risk.

The CPAP mask is a recognized treatment and can be highly effective if you stick with it. However, many people find these masks hard to wear every night. Some say the mask feels too tight, or the constant air pressure keeps them from falling asleep. If this sounds like you, our team of dental sleep practitioners at Sleep Treatment Direct in North Naples, FL, is here to help.

Innovative Sleep Apnea Treatment Options in North Naples, FL

All patients are unique, so what helps one might not work for another. At Sleep Treatment Direct, we never push one specific remedy on our patients; our recommendations are carefully made after reviewing your sleep study results and conducting a physical examination. Based on our findings, we may suggest either one of the following – or a combination of both – sleep apnea treatment options tailored to those in North Naples, FL.

Laser Therapy

If you are struggling with snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea, non-surgical, FDA-approved laser therapy may be what you need. It uses a special kind of laser to help open up your airway and make it easy for you to breathe at night. Since there are no incisions, there is no need for any anesthesia. You can stay awake throughout the 15–20-minute session.

The laser used in this treatment is extremely gentle when heating the tissues at the back of your throat. It will feel like a warm glow that gradually tightens the area. This heat encourages your body to produce more collagen, making the tissues firmer. Patients in North Naples, FL, considering sleep apnea treatment options may find this non-invasive approach beneficial for improving their condition.

Once your throat tissues get tighter, your breathing passage becomes wider and more stable. This means less vibration from loose tissue (which causes the snoring sound) and fewer obstructions, typical of sleep apnea. You will find breathing at night becomes effortless, and your sleep quality should improve.

Most patients in North Naples, FL, seeking treatment for sleep apnea, need about three sessions to get the best results. The three sessions are typically over a couple of months. There is no downtime, so you can talk, eat, and return to your daily activities after each session.

Oral Appliance Therapy

If you have been wrestling with your CPAP mask and cannot get used to it, you are not alone. If you have mild, moderate, or even severe obstructive sleep apnea, there is an alternative that could work better for you: oral appliance therapy.

Each appliance is custom-fit based on your unique dental impressions. We don’t send you home with over-the-counter, one-size-fits-all retainers.

The appliance must be adjusted regularly to prevent sleep apnea episodes. Using a store-bought retainer will not ease your symptoms and will likely cause problems with your bite and jaw alignment over time. To ensure effective management of the condition, patients in North Naples, FL, should consider sleep apnea therapy as a specialized treatment for sleep apnea.

Restful Nights with Treatments for Sleep Apnea in North Naples, FL

If you live in North Naples, FL, our team at Sleep Treatment Direct will schedule follow-up appointments after prescribing your oral appliance. These follow-ups are necessary for us to ensure your device fits, is comfortable, and feels as natural as possible. For many of our patients, oral appliances have made their nights more restful and mornings brighter.

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When to Consider an Oral Appliance

You cannot tolerate CPAP.

If you find yourself frequently skipping Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy for any reason, an oral appliance might be a more user-friendly option that you’re more likely to use consistently.

You have dental issues indicative of sleep apnea.

If you notice signs like teeth grinding (bruxism), increased tooth sensitivity, or receding gums, these could be linked to sleep apnea. A sleep practitioner at Sleep Treatment Direct can use a dental appliance to address your oral health issues and the apnea, offering treatments for sleep apnea right here in North Naples, FL.

You have jaw pain or TMJ disorder.

If you have TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) or other jaw-related issues, we will design an appliance that helps with apnea and alleviates strain on your jaw.

You are always on the go.

If you have an active lifestyle or travel frequently, an oral appliance is the best option because it is small and easy to carry.

You need a combination treatment for sleep apnea.

In some cases of severe sleep apnea, patients who use CPAP have to set the air pressure incredibly high to be able to breathe. If you haven’t gotten used to high pressure, you can use an oral appliance to reduce the pressure needed from the CPAP machine by positioning the jaw in a way that naturally opens up the airway. Patients in North Naples, FL, looking for severe sleep apnea treatment may find this method particularly beneficial.

You don’t want to undergo surgery.

Certain surgeries, such as tissue removal or nerve stimulation, are available for treating sleep apnea, but not everyone wants to go under the knife. Oral appliances are non-surgical and help mitigate even the most serious symptoms with minimal physical intervention.

What Happens If Your Sleep Apnea Goes Untreated

If you are underestimating this sleep disorder because “all it does is make you snore,” think again. Letting it go unchecked means paving the way for a variety of medical conditions sooner or later:

Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Stroke (brain damage from blood flow blockage)
Heart failure (heart can’t pump blood effectively)
Diabetes (high blood sugar levels)
Depression (persistent sadness, loss of interest)
Atrial fibrillation (irregular, rapid heart rate)
Obesity (excessive body fat accumulation)
Pulmonary hypertension (high pressure in lung arteries)
Cognitive decline (reduction in mental abilities)
Metabolic syndrome (cluster of heart risk factors)
Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux, heartburn)
Nocturia (frequent nighttime urination)
Memory loss (impaired ability to recall)
Chronic fatigue (long-lasting extreme tiredness)

North Naples, FL Experts Offering Hope Through Sleep Apnea Therapy

Research suggests that not managing sleep apnea increases your risk of sudden death as well. Sleep Treatment Direct urges you to take your symptoms seriously and contact us or your primary care provider as soon as possible. If you’re looking for effective sleep apnea treatments, our North Naples, FL, clinic may have the solution you need. Just because one treatment option hasn’t worked for you so far doesn’t mean the other treatments won’t help.

Dr. Frederick Eck, DDS, and the rest of our team are dedicated to one thing: helping sleep apnea patients in North Naples find lasting relief and reclaim the restorative sleep they deserve. Take this free sleep apnea screener to get started. Once you have completed the form, someone from our staff will call you back to learn more about your symptoms and answer any questions regarding how to treat sleep apnea.