Struggling with snoring or poor sleep? Our sleep apnea dentist in Bakersfield offers customized, non-surgical solutions to help you breathe easier at night.
Whether you’ve completed a Bakersfield sleep study or suspect sleep apnea, we’re here to guide you toward better rest and improved overall health, starting with a healthier airway.
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes the body to begin choking on itself, causing repeated episodes of partial or complete suffocation while you sleep. In some cases, each instance of choking can last for up to a minute or more.
The condition’s cause is airway blockage, usually by the tongue or throat. The first sign of sleep apnea is typically snoring, which happens when you attempt to breathe deeply despite a narrowing of the airway. If left untreated, snoring can often escalate to full Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which is characterized by a full blockage of the airway.
Nearly one in four adults over 30 is unknowingly suffering from at least mild sleep apnea. Are you at risk? Talk with our sleep apnea dentist near you today.
Answer each of the following questions and be completely honest. You should have your health evaluated if your answer is YES to two or more of them. Contact our office to schedule a sleep apnea diagnostic test.
Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) is considered the gold standard for managing sleep apnea. CPAP supplies in Bakersfield pump regular room air through a hose attached to a nasal mask.
You wear the mask by strapping it to your head before sleeping. Constant pressure pushes collapsible tissues like your tongue and throat out of the way. This allows you to maintain an open and stable airway during your slumber, allowing you to breathe a little easier through the night.
If you have trouble wearing a CPAP every night, an oral appliance might be a better option. Dr. Frank specializes in fitting patients with custom oral appliances in Bakersfield to treat sleep apnea.
An oral appliance works by holding your lower jaw (mandible) open and forward. This prevents your throat and neck from collapsing, allowing the free flow of air.
An oral appliance is an excellent option for those who find the CPAP uncomfortable to wear. In 2015, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine updated its practice parameters to encourage sleep apnea sufferers to use oral appliances, but only ones made by a specially trained dentist.
Dr. Frank is one of those dentists who can fit you with a custom-made oral appliance. This may be ideal if you have tried CPAP and are unable to continue its daily use. Talk to our front desk staff to learn more, as oral appliance therapy in Bakersfield is usually covered by medical insurance and Medicare.
If you have decided that CPAP is not for you, we highly recommend an oral appliance made just for you. Unlike CPAP, a mouthguard you wear at night won’t disturb bed partners. It could prevent snoring, and you will get better quality rest. Simply store it when not used, or travel freely with the appliance in your night bag.
These devices are manufactured according to the strictest safety and oral health standards and are FDA-cleared to manage sleep apnea. The appliances are comfortable to wear and can resolve many symptoms usually associated with OSA.
Dr. Frank is a sleep apnea dentist in Bakersfield who can also recommend surgery for select cases. If you have sleep apnea issues that cannot be resolved easily with CPAP or an oral appliance, Dr. Frank will review and discuss any surgical options during your appointment.
These devices are manufactured according to strict safety and oral health standards and are FDA-cleared to manage sleep apnea. The appliances are comfortable to wear and can resolve many symptoms usually associated with OSA.
Our practice uses the Eccovision Acoustic Pharyngometer and Rhinometer system made by Sleep Group Solutions. The machine uses sound waves to test our patients for breathing and airway blockages.
The machine sends sound waves into the airway and measures how quickly they bounce back to determine its size. The Pharyngometer measures the oral airway, while the Rhinometer measures the nasal passage.
Both systems are FDA-approved for identifying the site and severity of airway collapses caused by sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing problems.
An overnight sleep study is required to make an accurate sleep apnea diagnosis. Don’t worry; you won’t be forced to visit a Bakersfield sleep center for an inconvenient sleepover. Instead, the ARES system lets you conduct the sleep study at home at night. The system is comfortable to wear as it slips around your head like a baseball cap.
Once it’s hooked up, the system begins recording right away. By reviewing the data afterward, Dr. Frank can determine when and how easily you fall asleep and will receive detailed information regarding the quality of your sleep.
If you wake up once or more with breathing-related events, the ARES system will record each time the events occur and their duration. You will then return the device to our office, where the information can be extracted and analyzed for an accurate sleep apnea diagnosis.
If your snoring is causing a problem with your spouse and you suffer from sleep apnea-related ailments like frequent headaches, high blood pressure, and acid reflux, call Dr. Frank’s office in Bakersfield, California.
If you suffer from sleep apnea or suspect you do, we can help you find relief through a restful night’s sleep. With oral health and clear airways so closely connected, your first step toward a comfortable solution is to contact us. Call and schedule an appointment today.