Treatment for sleep-disordered breathing in Glen Carbon, IL

If you snore excessively, toss, and turn all night, or wake up feeling restless, you may be one of the many Americans suffering from sleep-disordered breathing. The condition called sleep apnea can impact your life in many negative ways, even putting you at a higher risk for vehicle or machine-related accidents. At Kellerman Dental, we have specialized expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing. Together, we will work with you to ensure you can get a better night’s sleep and improve your quality of life.

Diagnosing sleep apnea

The most common way to identify an accurate sleep apnea diagnosis is with a sleep test. It is essential because not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a severe condition caused by obstruction of the airway. Some common causes of snoring aside from sleep apnea include obesity, alcohol, or drug use, blocked nasal airways associated with allergies, sinus infections, deviated septum, sleep position, and sleep deprivation.

Sleep Apnea Treatment at Kellerman Dental

Video Transcript

Let’s talk about sleep apnea because in our practice we do like to be very comprehensive, and while sleep apnea is traditionally thought of as a medical condition, dentists can help with sleep apnea as well, and we do sleep apnea really is pretty simple. It’s when you’re not breathing well when you sleep. The reason sleep apnea is on a dentist radar is because the size of our tongue, the size of our jaw, the position of our tongue and jaw while we sleep, all are really the main contributors to sleep apnea. Traditionally, the most common, and I think maybe the most extreme way to treat sleep apnea is through A-C-P-A-P machine. Many people find CCP a P machines to be uncomfortable and cumbersome, and we can make a device for you that’s much smaller, yet as effective. The device itself is very similar to a night guard.

This device will reposition your job bed at night, opens up your airway so you can breathe better, and you’re able to continue to breathe throughout the night. Sleep apnea is a subject that hits close to home for me, and this is one of the reasons I have a lot of passion for it to help other people too. Before I wasn’t sleeping well, I was snoring. Long story short, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I made myself a device. I really can’t go without it. I love to wear it. I feel better in the morning, and it goes with me everywhere I go. I would say one of the main benefits that we’ve discovered from patients who have had sleep apnea devices made is that they’re finally getting a good night’s sleep. If you’re interested to see if a sleep apnea device could help you sleep better, simply reach out. We’re happy to do a free consultation with you. We’ll ask you a few questions, discuss what your goals are, and determine what the next best steps forward could be.

Treatment for sleep apnea

Once we have an accurate diagnosis of sleep apnea, it is time to develop a treatment plan. For many individuals, this will include several lifestyle changes such as:

Losing weight
Quitting smoking
Exercising more
Relaxation or meditation techniques
Reduce or eliminate alcohol intake

In addition to these natural remedies, we can also use oral appliance therapy. Appliance therapy is a convenient and effective way to treat sleep apnea that is often preferred over CPAP machines. While CPAP machines can be highly effective, they are cumbersome and uncomfortable, which lowers compliance rates. Custom oral appliances are a more comfortable way to treat the condition.

How dental appliances for sleep apnea work

Apnea episodes are the result of physical obstructions to the airway throughout the night. When you fall asleep, the muscles in your body relax; however, individuals with sleep apnea relax to the point where they block the flow of oxygen.

Oral appliances are designed to keep the jaw and tongue in a slightly forward position to prevent the tissues and muscles from collapsing and blocking the airway. These dental appliances are small, comfortable, and easy to travel with, making them the ideal solution for many patients.

To learn more about oral appliances for sleep apnea, call Kellerman Dental in Glen Carbon, IL, at (618) 228-3100 to book an appointment.

Treatment for sleep apnea at Kellerman Dental explained by Dr. Kevin Kellerman

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea and treatments available to get that good night's sleep? Watch this video to learn more as Dr. Kellerman explains all you need to know about sleep apnea.

Video Transcript

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Hi, my name is Dr. Kevin Kellerman from Kellerman Dental in Glen Carbon, Illinois. Today I want to talk about sleep apnea.

Many people who suffer from sleep apnea symptoms don’t even realize that there’s an issue.

If you feel tired or groggy during the day, often wake up not feeling refreshed, snore, or your bed partner tells you, you snore and are affecting their sleep as well, then sleep apnea may be the reason.

How to diagnose sleep apnea?

There is only one way to find out if there is an issue. To determine whether or not breathing while sleeping is a problem for you, we need to do a sleep test.

A physician will read your sleep test and determine whether or not you breathe effectively while you sleep. If you don’t, you have options to help you breathe better and feel better.

What are the treatments available for sleep apnea?

At Kellerman Dental, we do sleep apnea treatments for people who need our help. We make an oral device that fits in your mouth and that you wear while you sleep at night.

This oral device allows you to breathe better and, in most cases, eliminates snoring. When you can breathe better when you sleep, you feel better, and everyone around you is happier.

Call us today to make an appointment and experience the benefits of sleep apnea treatments.

Dr. Kevin Kellerman is an alumnus of Pinckneyville Community High School, Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, and SIUE School of Dental Medicine from where he obtained his doctorate.

A full-time dental practitioner, he also lectures on various topics. He is affiliated with many professional bodies including the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, American Orthodontic Society, Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Association, and the Glen Carbon/Edwardsville Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Kellerman and team are known for higher levels of service and patient care and for utilizing advanced technologies in treatments. He also participates in community projects and believes in giving back to the community that he serves.