Sleep Apnea Treatment in Hillsboro, OR

If you or your partner struggle with loud snoring, daytime fatigue, or interrupted sleep, you may be dealing with sleep apnea, a serious condition that affects your health and quality of life. At East Wind Dental Care in Hillsboro, Oregon, Dr. Merat Ostovar provides effective sleep apnea treatment using custom oral appliances that help you breathe better, sleep soundly, and wake up refreshed.

Sleep apnea is more than just a nuisance. Left untreated, it can contribute to serious health problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The good news is that dental sleep medicine offers comfortable, effective solutions that don’t require bulky CPAP machines, helping you get the restful sleep you need for optimal health.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These breathing pauses, called apneas, can occur dozens or even hundreds of times per night, preventing you from getting the deep, restorative sleep your body needs.

There are three main types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is the most common form and the type most effectively treated with dental appliances. OSA occurs when the soft tissues in your throat relax during sleep and collapse into the airway, blocking airflow. Your brain senses the lack of oxygen and briefly wakes you to restore breathing, often without you being consciously aware of waking.

This cycle of breathing interruption and arousal prevents deep sleep and deprives your body and brain of oxygen, leading to numerous health consequences.

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea is less common and occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. This type typically requires medical treatment rather than dental intervention.

Complex Sleep Apnea

Complex or mixed sleep apnea involves a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea and requires comprehensive medical management.

Dr. Ostovar focuses on treating obstructive sleep apnea, which affects millions of Americans and responds well to oral appliance therapy.

Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Many people have sleep apnea without realizing it. Contact our office if you experience any of these warning signs:

Loud, Chronic Snoring: While not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, loud, persistent snoring is one of the most common symptoms. Your bed partner may notice the snoring or hear you gasp or choke during sleep.

Daytime Fatigue: Despite spending adequate time in bed, you wake up feeling unrefreshed and struggle with excessive daytime sleepiness. You may feel drowsy during meetings, while watching TV, or even while driving.

Morning Headaches: Frequent headaches upon waking, caused by oxygen deprivation during the night, are common with sleep apnea.

Difficulty Concentrating: Sleep deprivation affects cognitive function, making it hard to focus, remember things, or think clearly.

Mood Changes: Irritability, depression, and mood swings often accompany chronic sleep disruption.

Witnessed Breathing Pauses: Your bed partner may notice that you stop breathing during sleep, often followed by gasping or choking sounds as breathing resumes.

Frequent Nighttime Urination: Sleep apnea can cause increased nighttime urination, disrupting sleep further.

Dry Mouth or Sore Throat: Breathing through your mouth all night can cause dryness and throat discomfort.

High Blood Pressure: Sleep apnea contributes to hypertension, and treatment often helps lower blood pressure.

Night Sweats: Excessive sweating during sleep can be a symptom of sleep apnea.

If you experience several of these symptoms, it’s important to seek evaluation and treatment. Sleep apnea doesn’t improve on its own and typically worsens over time without intervention.

Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is far more than a sleep problem. The repeated oxygen deprivation and sleep disruption it causes can have serious consequences for your overall health:

Cardiovascular Disease: Sleep apnea significantly increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and irregular heartbeat. The strain on your cardiovascular system from repeated oxygen drops and frequent arousals takes a serious toll.

Type 2 Diabetes: Sleep apnea is closely linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Treating sleep apnea can help improve blood sugar control.

Liver Problems: People with sleep apnea are more likely to have abnormal liver function and signs of liver scarring.

Metabolic Syndrome: This cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood sugar, and increased waist circumference is strongly associated with sleep apnea.

Complications with Medications and Surgery: Sleep apnea can cause problems with certain medications and makes you more susceptible to complications from anesthesia during surgery.

Cognitive Decline: Chronic sleep deprivation and oxygen deprivation may contribute to memory problems and cognitive decline over time.

Accidents: Daytime sleepiness increases your risk of workplace accidents and drowsy driving crashes.

Relationship Problems: Snoring and sleep disturbances can strain relationships with bed partners who also lose sleep.

Treating sleep apnea protects your health and improves your quality of life in numerous ways.

Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea

If Dr. Ostovar suspects you have sleep apnea based on your symptoms and risk factors, he’ll recommend a sleep study for proper diagnosis. Sleep studies can be conducted in a sleep lab or, increasingly, at home using portable monitoring devices.

During a sleep study, multiple parameters are monitored, including breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, brain activity, and body movements. This comprehensive data allows sleep specialists to diagnose sleep apnea and determine its severity.

A formal diagnosis is necessary before beginning treatment. Dr. Ostovar works closely with sleep physicians to ensure you receive appropriate evaluation and coordinated care.

Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea

While CPAP machines remain the gold standard for severe sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy offers an excellent alternative for many patients, particularly those with mild to moderate OSA or those who cannot tolerate CPAP.

How Oral Appliances Work

Oral appliances, also called mandibular advancement devices or sleep apnea mouth guards, are custom-fitted devices that you wear during sleep. They work by gently repositioning your lower jaw slightly forward, which:

• Opens your airway by moving your jaw forward
• Prevents the tongue from falling back into the throat
• Reduces or eliminates the collapse of soft tissues that block airflow
• Maintains an open breathing passage throughout the night

By keeping the airway open, oral appliances prevent the breathing interruptions that characterize sleep apnea, allowing you to breathe normally and sleep deeply.

Custom Fabrication Process

Effective oral appliances must be custom-made to fit your mouth precisely. Dr. Ostovar takes detailed impressions of your teeth and bite, which are used to fabricate an appliance specifically designed for your anatomy.

The appliance is carefully calibrated to position your jaw optimally for maintaining an open airway while remaining comfortable enough for nightly wear. After receiving your appliance, Dr. Ostovar makes any necessary adjustments to ensure proper fit and effectiveness.

Advantages of Oral Appliances

Oral appliances offer several benefits compared to CPAP therapy:

Comfort: Most patients find oral appliances much more comfortable than CPAP masks and are more likely to use them consistently.

Convenience: Oral appliances are small, portable, and don’t require electricity, making them perfect for travel.

Quiet: Unlike CPAP machines, oral appliances are completely silent and don’t disturb your bed partner.

Easy to Use: Simply insert the appliance before bed and remove it in the morning. There are no hoses, masks, or machines to manage.

High Compliance: Because they’re comfortable and convenient, patients are more likely to use oral appliances consistently, which is crucial for successful treatment.

Effective for Many Patients: Studies show oral appliances effectively treat mild to moderate sleep apnea and significantly reduce symptoms.

Who Benefits from Oral Appliance Therapy

Oral appliances are an excellent option for:

• Patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea
• Patients who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy
• Patients who prefer a less invasive treatment option
• Patients who travel frequently
• Primary snorers without apnea who want to reduce snoring

Some patients with severe sleep apnea may also benefit from oral appliances, though CPAP is typically recommended as the first-line treatment for severe cases.

Other Sleep Apnea Treatments

In addition to oral appliances, Dr. Ostovar may recommend complementary approaches to manage sleep apnea:

Lifestyle Modifications

Certain lifestyle changes can significantly improve sleep apnea:

Weight Loss: For overweight patients, losing even a modest amount of weight can reduce sleep apnea severity or, in some cases, resolve it completely.

Sleep Position: Sleeping on your side rather than your back can reduce airway obstruction. Special positional devices or pillows can help you maintain side-sleeping.

Avoid Alcohol and Sedatives: These substances relax throat muscles and worsen sleep apnea. Avoiding them, especially in the evening, can help.

Quit Smoking: Smoking increases inflammation and fluid retention in the airway, worsening sleep apnea. Quitting improves symptoms.

Regular Exercise: Physical activity can help with weight management and improve sleep quality.

Combination Therapy

Some patients benefit from combining oral appliance therapy with CPAP at lower pressure settings. This combination can improve compliance and effectiveness for certain individuals.

Surgical Options

For patients who don’t respond to conservative treatments, surgical procedures to remove excess tissue, reposition the jaw, or address specific anatomical issues may be considered. Dr. Ostovar can coordinate with ENT surgeons or oral and maxillofacial surgeons when surgical intervention is appropriate.

The Treatment Process

Getting treatment for sleep apnea at East Wind Dental Care is straightforward:

Initial Consultation

Your journey begins with a consultation where Dr. Ostovar discusses your symptoms, reviews your medical and sleep history, and performs a thorough oral examination. He evaluates your airway, jaw position, and oral structures to determine if you’re a good candidate for oral appliance therapy.

If you haven’t had a sleep study, he’ll refer you to a sleep specialist for proper diagnosis. We work collaboratively with sleep physicians to ensure comprehensive care.

Treatment Planning

Once sleep apnea is diagnosed, Dr. Ostovar discusses treatment options and recommends the most appropriate oral appliance for your specific needs. Several types of appliances are available, each with unique features and benefits.

Impressions and Fabrication

Dr. Ostovar takes precise impressions of your teeth and bite. These impressions are sent to a specialized dental laboratory where your custom oral appliance is fabricated to exact specifications.

Delivery and Fitting

When your appliance is ready, you return for a fitting appointment. Dr. Ostovar ensures the appliance fits properly, makes any necessary adjustments, and calibrates it to position your jaw optimally. He provides detailed instructions on how to insert, remove, and care for your appliance.

Follow-Up and Adjustments

After you begin using your appliance, follow-up appointments allow Dr. Ostovar to assess how well it’s working, make any needed adjustments, and address any concerns. Most patients need a few adjustment appointments initially to optimize comfort and effectiveness.

We may coordinate with your sleep physician for a follow-up sleep study while wearing the appliance to objectively measure treatment effectiveness.

Ongoing Care

Regular check-ups ensure your appliance continues to fit properly and work effectively. Dr. Ostovar monitors your oral health, checks appliance condition, and makes adjustments as needed. Most oral appliances last several years with proper care.

Caring for Your Sleep Apnea Appliance

With proper maintenance, your oral appliance will last for years:

Daily Cleaning: Brush your appliance each morning with a soft toothbrush and mild soap or denture cleaner. Rinse thoroughly before storing.

Proper Storage: Keep your appliance in its protective case when not in use to prevent damage and contamination.

Regular Dental Care: Maintain excellent oral hygiene and attend regular dental exams and teeth cleaning appointments. Dr. Ostovar checks your appliance during these visits.

Avoid Heat: Don’t expose your appliance to hot water or leave it in hot environments like a car dashboard, as heat can warp the material.

Handle with Care: While durable, your appliance can crack or break if dropped on hard surfaces. Handle it carefully.

Bring to Appointments: Always bring your appliance to dental appointments so Dr. Ostovar can examine it and make any necessary adjustments.

Why Choose East Wind Dental Care for Sleep Apnea Treatment

When it comes to sleep apnea treatment, expertise and experience matter. Here’s why patients throughout Hillsboro, Beaverton, Aloha, Tanasbourne, and Orenco Station trust East Wind Dental Care:

Specialized Training

Dr. Merat Ostovar has advanced training in dental sleep medicine and stays current with the latest developments in oral appliance therapy. He understands the complexities of sleep apnea and how to treat it effectively.

Custom Solutions

We recognize that every patient is unique. Dr. Ostovar carefully evaluates your specific situation and recommends the oral appliance that will work best for your anatomy, sleep apnea severity, and preferences.

Collaborative Care

We work closely with sleep physicians and other healthcare providers to ensure you receive comprehensive, coordinated care that addresses all aspects of your sleep apnea.

Advanced Technology

Our digital impression systems create precise models for accurate appliance fabrication. We use high-quality materials and work with specialized laboratories to ensure excellent results.

Patient-Centered Approach

We take time to explain your condition, treatment options, and what to expect. Our goal is to ensure you feel informed, comfortable, and confident about your care.

Comprehensive Dental Services

As a full-service dental practice offering everything from preventive care to cosmetic dentistry and oral surgery, we provide all your dental needs in one convenient location.

Convenient Location

Our Hillsboro office at 7546 NE Shaleen St offers easy access and flexible scheduling to accommodate your busy life.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

The cost of sleep apnea treatment with oral appliances varies depending on the type of appliance and the complexity of your case. During your consultation, we provide detailed cost estimates.

Many medical insurance plans cover oral appliance therapy for diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, especially when CPAP has failed or is not tolerated. We work with your medical insurance to maximize coverage.

Our team handles insurance verification and filing, making the process as smooth as possible. We’ll explain your coverage and any out-of-pocket expenses before beginning treatment.

For patients without coverage or those with out-of-pocket expenses, we offer flexible payment options. Don’t let cost prevent you from getting treatment; untreated sleep apnea is far more expensive in terms of health consequences and reduced quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea Treatment

Can dentists really treat sleep apnea?

Yes, dentists with specialized training in dental sleep medicine can effectively treat obstructive sleep apnea with oral appliances. Dr. Ostovar works collaboratively with sleep physicians to ensure comprehensive care.

How effective are oral appliances?

Research shows oral appliances effectively reduce or eliminate sleep apnea symptoms in many patients with mild to moderate OSA. Success rates are particularly high for patients who are faithful about wearing the appliance nightly.

Will my oral appliance be uncomfortable?

Most patients adapt quickly to their oral appliance. While it may feel unusual initially, most people find them comfortable within a few nights. Any discomfort can usually be resolved with adjustments.

Can I use an oral appliance if I have dental work?

In most cases, yes. Dr. Ostovar evaluates your dental work to ensure an appliance can be fitted properly. Patients with dental crowns, dental implants, or other restorations can typically use oral appliances successfully.

How long does it take to see results?

Many patients notice improvements in their first week of treatment, including reduced snoring, better sleep quality, and increased daytime energy. Objective improvements in breathing can be confirmed with a follow-up sleep study.

Do I have to wear the appliance forever?

Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. You’ll need to wear your appliance nightly to maintain the benefits. However, if lifestyle changes like significant weight loss occur, your sleep apnea may improve and treatment needs can be reassessed.

What if I also grind my teeth?

Dr. Ostovar can accommodate teeth grinding when designing your sleep apnea appliance or provide a separate night guard if needed.

Can oral appliances prevent snoring?

Yes, oral appliances effectively reduce or eliminate snoring in most patients, which is a welcome benefit for bed partners.

Take Control of Your Sleep Health

Don’t let sleep apnea rob you of your health, energy, and quality of life. If you’re struggling with snoring, daytime fatigue, or other sleep apnea symptoms, effective treatment is available right here in Hillsboro.

Call East Wind Dental Care today at (503) 614-0198 to schedule your sleep apnea consultation with Dr. Merat Ostovar. We serve patients from Hillsboro, Beaverton, Aloha, Tanasbourne, Orenco Station, and throughout the Portland area.

Visit us at 7546 NE Shaleen St, Hillsboro, OR 97124, where our experienced team is ready to help you get the restful sleep you deserve. With comfortable oral appliance therapy, you can breathe better, sleep soundly, and wake up refreshed and energized.

Your journey to better sleep and better health starts with a simple phone call. Contact us today and discover how we can help you overcome sleep apnea and reclaim your vitality. The solution to better sleep may be simpler and more comfortable than you think.