Sleep Apnea Therapy – San Ramon, CA
Improve Your Health with Sleep Apnea Therapy
Many people think that the only harm that sleep apnea can cause is chronic snoring, but that’s not the case. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, an estimated 22 million Americans suffers from the condition, with 80 percent of those cases going completely undiagnosed. Dr. Deol has spent years studying sleep apnea and how to treat it, allowing him to offer different options for sleep apnea therapy in San Ramon, CA to help you get the quality of rest that you deserve.
Why Choose Oak Ridge Dental for Sleep Apnea Therapy?
- We Accept Dental Insurance
- We Offer Custom-Tailored Sleep Apnea Therapies
- Reduce Your Risk of Developing Medical Conditions
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common condition that impacts millions of Americans. One of the most common types is obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. This occurs when your airways collapse as you’re sleeping, reducing your airflow and causing countless episodes where you stop breathing for 10 or more seconds at a time. Eventually, the lack of airflow will signal your brain to wake up, interrupting your cycle and preventing you from ever reaching deep sleep.
Health Problems Associated with Sleep Apnea
Many people don’t bother having their sleep apnea diagnosed because they don’t think it’s a harmful condition. However, that’s not the case at all. Over time, the lack of oxygen to your brain can increase your risk of developing serious medical and health conditions, including:
- Depression
- Type 2 diabetes
- Strokes
- Heart attacks
- Memory loss
- Weakened immune system
- High blood pressure
- Acid reflux
Instead of letting your condition go untreated, resulting in declining overall health, be sure to let your doctor know the symptoms you’re experiencing and request an at-home sleep test.
Non-Surgical Sleep Apnea Therapies
Once you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you can look into the many treatment options available to you. Some of the popular non-surgical ones include a CPAP machine, which helps open your airways as you sleep to make sure you’re receiving enough oxygen to your brain. Today, many patients prefer our less cumbersome and uncomfortable option, a custom-fitted dental appliance. Once placed in the mouth, the appliance helps reposition your tongue or lower jawbone to ensure maximum airflow. Many patients prefer the oral appliances because they’re easier to fall asleep with.
Sleep apnea is an under-diagnosed condition that puts countless people at an increased risk of declining health. That’s why, if you or a loved one is experiencing any symptoms of the condition, such as chronic loud snoring, gasping for breath in the middle of the night, or constant fatigue, contact us for a consultation immediately.
Learn More About Oral Appliance Therapy
Understanding the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment
You can’t put a price on a good night’s rest, but you do have to be mindful of the cost involved with treating sleep apnea. Not every patient will end up paying the same amount for their care. Of course, our team will ensure that you have an accurate idea of what the price will look like before you need to make any commitments. Here’s a brief overview of what you need to know about fitting sleep apnea treatment into your budget.
Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Even if you’re seeing a dentist for your sleep apnea treatment, your dental insurance typically won’t help pay for it. Since sleep apnea is a general medical condition (rather than specifically a dental one), it normally falls under medical insurance. It’s a good idea to double-check your plan to confirm that you understand your coverage for specific services.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment
One of the biggest factors that could end up influencing the amount you end up paying is the specific kind of sleep apnea treatment you undergo. Obviously, you shouldn’t expect an oral appliance to have the same price tag as a CPAP machine. It is worth noting that between these two treatment options, oral appliance therapy usually costs less.
There’s also a matter of a sleep test to consider. You can only have your sleep apnea treated once it has been diagnosed by an expert. To that end, a sleep test must be performed, and that carries a cost of its own.
Finally, there’s the matter of insurance. The level of coverage available for sleep apnea treatment can vary from plan to plan – and thus, so can your out-of-pocket costs.
Treat Your Sleep Apnea Now to Improve Your Health
While the potential cost of sleep apnea treatment might give you pause, it’s important to remember that there can be dire consequences for failing to have your disorder treated in a timely manner. Sleep apnea can cause your blood pressure to go up, making it more likely that you will experience a heart attack or a stroke. On top of that, you may be more likely to get into an accident while driving due to a lack of quality sleep.
In short, sleep apnea can put your health – and even your life – at serious risk. It is in your best interest to figure out the best way to fit it into your budget so that you can resolve your sleep issues as quickly as possible.
Making Sleep Apnea Treatment More Affordable
If you don’t have insurance, or if your insurance does not cover sleep apnea treatment, it may be worth exploring your financing options (such as CareCredit) so that you can pay in installments rather than all at once. Reach out to us if you would like to learn more about how financing works at our office.
Sleep Apnea FAQ’s
Because sleep apnea is so common, it affects people in various ways, leading to a variety of questions and concerns. For any specifics, please don’t hesitate to contact our office to speak with Dr. Deol. However, you may also like to do your own research, which is why we’ve included the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below. Read on to get the information you need about sleep apnea therapy in San Ramon.
Am I a Good Candidate for Oral Appliance Therapy?
The only way to know with certainty whether an oral appliance is right for you is to visit our office for a consultation with Dr. Deol. After discussing your sleep apnea, medical history, and other factors that impact the success of your treatment, Dr. Deol will be able to make a personalized recommendation based on your needs. Usually, patients who can benefit from oral appliance therapy are those who have obstructive sleep apnea and want a more comfortable and convenient alternative to the traditional CPAP machine.
Can I Use Dental Insurance to Pay for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
While you are visiting a dentist for sleep apnea, your dental insurance won’t be used to pay for your treatment. Instead, your medical insurance will usually cover sleep apnea therapy. However, no two plans are the same, which is why you should always check with your provider before making any final decisions. Our office accepts several payment methods, and we are always happy to work with your insurance to maximize any benefits while cutting down on your out-of-pocket costs.
Can I Treat Sleep Apnea on My Own?
There is no substitute for sleep apnea treatment in San Ramon from a professional. Remember, untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious dangers that put your health and safety at risk. That said, there are some steps you can take to mitigate your sleep apnea symptoms. The following can be used in combination with professional sleep apnea therapy:
- Exercise to promote weight loss and restfulness
- Meditation or other relaxation methods that lower stress
- Avoiding alcohol before bed
- Quit smoking
How Will Treating Sleep Apnea Improve My Life?
One of the reasons why sleep apnea is so damaging is because it can put your health at risk without you even knowing it. By treating sleep apnea, you will automatically wake up feeling more rested and focused. You will also cut down on those annoying headaches that sleep apnea causes in the morning. Additionally, getting a full night’s rest will lower your risk of car accidents and other emergencies that can occur due to drowsiness. Treating sleep apnea will also make it easier to lose weight, helping you look and feel better in the process. Plus, thanks to a custom-made oral appliance by Dr. Deol, your family will no longer have to experience your loud snoring throughout the night.
Does Everyone Who Snores Have Sleep Apnea?
Snoring is an extremely common side effect of sleep apnea; in fact, it’s estimated to affect around 94% of people with the disorder. However, while snoring and sleep apnea undeniably have a close relationship, one does not always guarantee the presence of the other. There are people who snore but are not currently suffering from sleep apnea; conversely, one can have sleep apnea even if they don’t snore. Since symptoms can vary from person to person, the only reliable way to diagnose sleep apnea is to perform a sleep test.
Will Oral Appliance Therapy Make CPAP Therapy Unnecessary?
Some patients are able to completely transition from CPAP therapy to oral appliance therapy. Many individuals prefer oral appliances since they aren’t as noisy or uncomfortable as CPAP. That being said, an oral appliance works better on mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea. If your sleep disorder is particularly severe, CPAP therapy may still be the better option. We can discuss your choices for sleep apnea treatment in more detail based on the specifics of your situation.
How Should I Clean My Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance?
Since your oral appliance will naturally spend a lot of time in your mouth, it must be cleaned on a regular basis in order to reduce your risk for various oral health issues. The best time to clean your oral appliance is first thing in the morning, right after taking it out of your mouth. It’s recommended that you brush it carefully before rinsing it off and putting it back in its case. You can also soak your oral appliance in denture cleaner once every week.
How Soon After Starting Sleep Apnea Treatment Will I Notice Improvement?
This can be a tricky question to answer since every patient is different. That being said, many people who wear oral appliances for sleep apnea experience an improvement in the quality of their slumber right away. If your symptoms seem to grow less severe or disappear altogether, that likely means that your oral appliance is having the desired effect. That being said, the best way to know for sure whether your treatment is working is to undergo additional sleep testing.
Will My Sleep Apnea Go Away If I Lose Weight?
Losing weight can certainly help when you’re suffering from sleep apnea. Research has found that excess weight and sleep-disordered breathing are closely linked to each other thanks to additional tissue around the airway that can cause obstructions. Losing weight means less tissue in that area, thus making it less likely that your breathing will be interrupted. However, sleep apnea could still be present even after you lose weight; this is a major reason why it’s important to speak to an expert about having your disorder professionally treated.
