VIVOS SLEEP APNEA IN BOULDER, CO
What You Need To Know About Sleep Apnea
- Non-surgical, non-invasive treatment: Vivos Sleep Apnea treats sleep apnea with custom-made oral appliances that reshape airway structures for symptom relief during sleep.
- Individualized treatment plans: Offers personalized treatment for sleep apnea, addressing underlying causes and optimizing airway function through customized techniques.
- Focus on long-term results: Addresses root causes for lasting results, improving the upper airway and enhancing sleep quality and overall health.
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How a Complete Health Dentist Treats Sleep Apnea
Many individuals are unaware that oral health can affect other systemic conditions, such as sleep apnea. Unfortunately, this often includes traditional dentists, who tend to focus more on treating patients’ isolated dental conditions. In reality, appropriate sleep dentistry requires a strong understanding of the oral-health connection.
Sleep dentistry is available at PeakView Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry in Boulder and the surrounding area. Choosing a total health dentist may be what you need to ensure your overall well-being.
Sleep Apnea and Airway Dentistry
Airway dentistry is an emerging branch of dentistry that focuses on a patient’s oral structure and how it affects breathing. Airway dentists search for signs of sleep-disordered breathing by searching for any abnormal oral development, such as tongue position, tooth wear, and extra tissues in the back of the throat. This form of dentistry can help diagnose and treat patients with upper airway resistance syndrome and various types of sleep apnea, especially obstructive sleep apnea.
Both upper airway resistance syndrome and obtrusive sleep apnea involve the relaxation of the throat’s soft tissue. This reduces the size of the airway, resulting in disturbed sleep and daytime impairment. Though airway obstruction symptoms depend on its exact cause, typical signs involve agitation, confusion, cyanosis (bluish-colored skin), difficulty breathing, gasping for air, panic, high-pitched breathing noises, and unconsciousness. Most sleep-disordered breathing is caused by resistance in the airway.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
There are several kinds of sleep apnea, but obstructive sleep apnea is the most common. In this condition, something blocks (or obstructs) part or all of the patient’s upper airway while they sleep. This forces the diaphragm and chest muscles to overcompensate to pull air into the lungs. As a result, the patient’s breathing may become very shallow or even briefly stop altogether. When the patient eventually begins to breathe again, they may experience a loud gasp, snort, or body jerk.
Since this condition is only observable to an outsider, many patients may mistakenly believe that they are only suffering from poor sleep. However, sleep apnea symptoms often take a toll on the mouth and jaw, making it possible for total health dentists to recognize the condition. Common signs of sleep apnea include worn tooth surfaces, receding gums, increased cavities, a small jaw, scalloped edges on the tongue, or redness in the throat. Dentists may recommend patients with these telltale signs to partake in a sleep study, as only medical doctors can make an official sleep apnea diagnosis.
Treating Sleep Apnea
There are several treatment options available or sleep apnea, including oral appliances. To use oral appliances, patients must first have impressions taken of their teeth and return for a fitting at a later appointment. Depending on their situation, some patients may need to undergo another sleep test while wearing the device to ensure that it is in working order. Since these devices do not require any electricity, they are relatively unobtrusive and travel-friendly. However, they may require further office visits for any necessary adjustments.
Patients who require more advanced treatment may want to consider continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machines or surgery. As these treatments are more involved, they may require a referral to a sleep specialist. No matter how serious the case, We can help patients determine the right treatment for them.
Sleep Apnea and Systemic Health
Sleep apnea is one of the most well-known and most common sleep disorders affecting Americans today. Though its exact cause is still unknown, some experts argue that it should be classified as a systemic disease. This is due primarily to the undeniable presence of intense local and systemic inflammation and the various phenomena associated with the disorder (including modifications in the autonomic nervous system).
Furthermore, it is possible that obstructive sleep apnea may increase the risk of developing some features of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome refers to a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea are already at an increased risk for vascular events, which have the highest morbidity and mortality rates of all associated complications. As such, it is safe to say that sleep apnea is often more serious than it first seems.
Ideal Candidates for Airway Dentistry
Virtually anybody can benefit from airway dentistry. If left untreated, airway-involved sleep disorders can have disastrous effects on a person’s oral health, feelings of restfulness, and overall well-being. An airway dentist can help look for signs of such disorders and, in mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea, help treat them with recommendations for lifestyle changes, oral devices, and referrals to specialists when necessary.
Sleep apnea can affect patients of any age, including children. Furthermore, of all pediatric physicians, dentists are most likely to identify the abnormal tonsil growth that often causes obstructive sleep apnea. Accordingly, regular dental checkups can help catch and treat children’s sleep apnea before it has the chance to become problematic. As obstructive sleep apnea often comes with significant developmental concerns, early detection is critical.
Call us to schedule an appointment today
For many patients, airway dentistry is just what they need to put their sleep apnea issues to rest. We at PeakView Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry may be able to help.
sLEEP APNEA FAQs
How common is sleep apnea?
According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, sleep apnea affects over 20 million Americans. They also approximate that as much as 80% of moderate to severe cases of obtrusive sleep apnea are undiagnosed.
Can sleep apnea be cured?
Unfortunately, as of yet, there is no known cure for sleep apnea. However, Dr. Olsen can help you minimize and manage its symptoms so that you can live a more comfortable life.
Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnea?
No. Snoring is very common and can occur in anyone. However, if your snoring is severe enough to wake you from your sleep, it may be a sign of sleep apnea. Snoring associated with sleep apnea is generally louder, deeper, and more consistent than “normal” snoring. Those with sleep apnea may also experience choking, gasps, or pauses in between snores.
Are there any risk factors associated with sleep apnea?
Approximately half of those affected by sleep apnea are overweight. Sleep apnea is more common in men than in women and in older persons than in younger persons. However, children with enlarged tonsils are also at risk.
Is sleep apnea hereditary?
At least one study has found that snoring runs in families. Though snoring is not a cause of sleep apnea, it is one of its key symptoms. Additionally, individuals may inherit narrow airways or be genetically predisposed to have excess tissues in the airway. As such, there is a hereditary component to sleep apnea.
Meet Our Doctors
Discover the passion and commitment that drives our dental team
Dr. Adam Kwiatkowski
Dr. Adam Kwiatkowski is a highly skilled cosmetic and implant dentist, driven by a passion for excellence. He began his journey at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, where he earned several accolades, including the International Congress of Oral Implantologists’ Pre-doctoral Student Achievement Award. His education continued with UIC’s Advanced Predoctoral Implant Program, and he was inducted into the prestigious Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society.
Dr. Hojun Song
Dr. Hojun Song enjoys all aspects of general dentistry, with a special focus on preventive care and patient education. He believes that helping patients understand their oral health is one of the most important parts of building long-term trust and confidence. Before joining the Peakview Dentistry team, Dr. Song served as a Managing Clinical Director at Aspen Dental in Maine. He gained valuable experience in both patient care and clinical leadership.
Google Reviews
Patient-centered dental care that exceeds expectations
Sandra Singer
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
October 25, 2026
It was just an initial consultation, but they seem great.
Eugene Padilla
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
October 24, 2026
The den̈tist and the staff are great
Susan Hartman
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
October 23, 2026
Dr. Song was able to solve my tooth discomfort. I was seen the same day that I called which really helped. Thanks!
Nicholas Lothamer
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
October 19, 2026
People who really care
Tragedy
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
October 14, 2026
Great People at Peakview i advise people to go there. They are good at what they do.
Ken Harp
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
October 6, 2026
Great appointment!
Jessica Pollard
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
October 5, 2026
I have intense anxiety around dental pain, and every person I interacted with was incredibly patient and accommodating. I had the option for nitrous oxide, but ended up not needing it. They’re not even in my dental insurance network, but they’re so worth it.
Donna Romberg
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
September 30, 2026
My visit was very positive today. I appreciate so much that the dentist really cared about what I wanted instead of just disregarding me and my needs. I have never had a dentist care for my dental needs like that before. I appreciate you guys so much
Smile That Are Built To Last
Restore your smile today! We offer the most advanced dental implant technology, at affordable prices.
Smile That Are Built To Last
Restore your smile today! We offer the most advanced dental implant technology, at affordable prices.
