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VIVOS SLEEP APNEA IN BOULDER, CO

What You Need To Know About Sleep Apnea

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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

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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.
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Treating Sleep Apnea

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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, Dr. Olsen 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.
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Ideal Candidates for Airway Dentistry

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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.
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.
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.
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.
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

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Dr. Kwiatkowski

Dr. Adam Kwiatkowski, a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, has received multiple awards for his outstanding achievements in cosmetic and implant dentistry. He is a recipient of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists’ Pre-doctoral Student Achievement Award and a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society.

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Dr. Hearne

Dr. Hearne, originally from Las Vegas, was inspired to become a dentist at the age of 12 by a close family friend who was a renowned dentist. With a foundation in customer service and excellence from his early career in the hotel industry, Dr. Hearne was further inspired to become a compassionate caregiver for his patients after the passing of his younger brother to cystic fibrosis at the age of 7.

Dr. Olsen

I was born in Ogden, Utah and always knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. After serving an LDS mission in South Africa and getting married, I studied biology at Weber State University and attended the prestigious Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska. There, I received multiple awards for clinical excellence before settling down in St. George with my family.

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Google Reviews

Patient-centered dental care that exceeds expectations

Andrea Haines

5/5
June 27, 2024
The nice Dentist and his consultant were very easy to talk to and learn what the possibilities are to improve my smile. Very gentle and I am excited to improve my smile!!

Steve DeHerrera

5/5
June 26, 2024
Peakview Dentistry is a hidden gem in the heart of Boulder. Dr. Adam Kwiatowski and his staff are so professional and nice. I have been to several dentists and this one is hands down the best! I want to thank the team. Everyone in the team was wonderful! All I can add is what a wonderful experience! Great Job everyone!

Kari Stark

5/5
June 13, 2024
I had part 1 of a surgery done prior to moving to Colorado. It left me with major anxiety to have the next step done. Dr. Kwiatowski, Ashley, and… forgive me, but she knows… Cherry have made my experience so comfortable. The surgical assistants were also great and accomodated my nerves well. The clinic is clean, comfortable, and as the name implies, offers a great view. I’m so glad to have found you!!

daren laesch

5/5
June 2, 2024
Dr. K did an excellent job on my implant supported bridge. It was a little bit of a process, but he did an excellent job of fitting and refitting until my teeth were perfect!!!! Highly recommend Peak View!!!!!

Pamela

5/5
May 25, 2024
I am so grateful I found a dentist who provides excellence in every aspect of his practice. I can’t emphasize this enough. Truly impressed.

Dan Aweida

5/5
May 25, 2024
Dr. K and his team are so nice and professional! Highly recommend if you’re looking for a dentist in Boulder.

Janet Frasher

5/5
May 16, 2024
PeakView Dentistry is the best ! Here is where you’ll get the best treatment, caring staff,updated technology, knowledgeable and friendly surgeon & staff ever ! You’ll feel so welcomed and personally taken care of. Get in for a free consultation ! My insurance company wasn’t too helpful (implants).. but Peakview made it possible for me! They will work with you & your insurance company to get the best and affordable payment plan. I’m thrilled I found PeakView ! They are above & beyond what you’ll expect !! Thank you PeakView.

Kian Shir

5/5
May 15, 2024
From the minute I walked in I was greeting with kindness, care, and exceptional treatment. Ellie is an extremely warm and welcoming person, and she made the whole dentist office experience interesting, comfortable, and a lot less stressful than expected. Dr. K and the whole team also deserve the most praise, as they are all diligent, kind, respectful, and educated individuals who truly show care for their patients/clientele. I not only left with exceptional treatment, but newfound friends. Thank you everyone!

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