Treatment For Sleep-Disordered Breathing by Dr. Maryam Seifi in Rockville, MD
As an innovator and healthcare practitioner, Dr. Maryam Seifi diligently keeps abreast of the latest scientific advancements in her field. One such advancement is the use of Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) to treat sleep-disordered breathing. Passionate about the benefits of OAT, Dr. Seifi became a Diplomate of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy and now treats sleep-disordered breathing in children and adults.
What Is Sleep-Disordered Breathing?
“Sleep-disordered breathing” is a general term that describes breathing difficulties during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is a severe form of this disorder. It is characterized by temporary pauses in breathing when a person sleeps. Sleep apnea sufferers wake repeatedly through the night, often gasping for air, and then lapse back into sleep.
The lowered blood oxygen and broken sleep can lead to high blood pressure and blood sugar, put undue stress on the body resulting in disease, other medical problems and even death. Sleep-disordered breathing can occur in people of any age, but it is most common in adults over the age of 40. The condition is more common in men than in women.
How Do I Know If I Need Oral Appliance Therapy?
Some common symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing include dry mouth upon waking, if you stop breathing at night, and loud snoring. Other symptoms include morning headaches, if you feel sleepy during the day, or that you can’t get quality sleep.
What Is Oral Appliance Therapy, and Does It Work?
Oral appliance therapy is a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders that involve breathing. The therapy involves wearing a mouthpiece that is custom-fit to your mouth and teeth. The mouthpiece prevents your tongue from blocking your airway, which can help you breathe more easily and deeply during sleep.
It is considered a safe and effective treatment for sleep apnea and other sleep disorders. In fact, OAT is one of the preferred treatments for mild-to-moderate sleep apnea, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Dr. Maryam Seifi is a highly qualified dentist in Rockville, MD, who knows the risk factors in not treating sleep disordered breathing. She is passionate about dental sleep medicine, and specializes in oral appliance therapy for sleep-disordered breathing. She is an expert in sleep apnea solutions. She will work with you to find the right mouthpiece for your needs and make sure it fits properly. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Seifi today to learn more about this therapy and see if it's right for you.
Oral Appliance Therapy Benefits
If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from sleep-disordered breathing, you may wonder if an oral appliance is right for you. Some of the many benefits of this therapy include:
- Relief from snoring and sleep apnea: OAT can provide relief from both snoring and sleep apnea.
- Improved sleep quality: Because the oral appliance can relieve snoring and sleep apnea, another benefit to using one is improvement in your overall sleep quality. Sounder sleep is healthier sleep for you and overall physical well-being. Getting good, deep sleep can lead to feeling more refreshed when you wake up in the morning.
- Increased energy levels: Because this therapy can improve your sleep quality, it can also lead to increased energy levels during the day. If you have been struggling with excessive daytime sleepiness because of a sleep-disordered breathing problem, such as sleep apnea, this may be a great treatment option for you to consider.
Who Can Use an Oral Appliance?
People with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea or snoring can use an oral appliance. Patients may need to take part in overnight sleep studies to determine the cause of their sleep-disordered breathing. People with more severe sleep apnea may need other treatments like CPAP. Oral appliance therapy is also an option for people who can't tolerate CPAP.
Adults
Millions of adults suffer from sleep apnea, both diagnosed and undiagnosed. If you have sleep apnea or health issues which may be caused by sleep apnea, Dr. Seifi can help. She can also determine if you are likely to develop sleep apnea and can help prevent it from occurring.
How Does an Oral Appliance Work?
The therapy involves wearing a customized mouthpiece during sleep. The mouthpiece helps you breathe properly while you are asleep by holding the tongue and lower jaw in a forward position, keeping the airway open.
To get started with your oral appliance, you’ll first schedule a consultation with Dr. Seifi, discuss your treatment plan, and then Dr. Seifi will order your oral appliance. You will come in once it arrives to ensure it fits properly, and then again at regular intervals set by Dr. Seifi to make sure you are adjusting well to the treatment and that your appliance is working the way it’s meant to.
Comparing Oral Appliance Therapy to Other Sleep-Disordered Breathing Treatment Options
Oral Appliance Therapy is an effective treatment for a variety of sleep disorders, including snoring, obstructive apnea, and upper airway resistance syndrome. This therapy is also often used in combination with other treatments, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), to provide the best possible results. OAT is easy to use, and it can be an excellent alternative to CPAP for some people.
List of Services
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CPAPList Item 1
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most common treatment for OSA. CPAP machines have a mask you wear over your nose and mouth. The mask is connected to a machine that pumps air into your lungs at a steady rate, providing just enough pressure to ensure your airway stays open. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, CPAP is the top treatment option for sleep-disordered breathing problems, however, patients often do not like having to wear the mask while they sleep.
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BPAPList Item 2
The bilevel positive airway pressure, or BPAP, works by providing more airway pressure while you inhale and less pressure as you exhale, as opposed to the same level of pressure throughout the breathing cycle a CPAP machine provides.
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ASVList Item 3
Adaptive Servo-Ventilation is an airflow device that learns your breathing pattern and uses a built-in computer to store and use that information to normalize your breathing. It is a rather successful treatment, but is not a good fit for all types of sleep apnea, nor for those with heart disease.
Dr. Seifi strongly supports Oral Appliance Therapy to treat sleep apnea and snoring for its versatility and the fact that it is less invasive to your sleep when compared to a CPAP machine. If you are considering Oral Appliance Therapy for your sleep-disordered breathing, it is important to consult with Dr. Seifi to ensure that it is the right treatment for you.
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Oral Appliance Therapy Could Be Your Ticket to a Full Night’s Sleep
If you are looking for an effective and comfortable treatment option for sleep apnea or another sleep-disordered breathing, oral appliance therapy may be the right choice for you. Contact our office today to get professional medical advice from Dr. Seifi and to discuss this treatment option.
