If sleep apnea only deprived you (and the person one pillow over you) of rest, that would be reason enough to seek treatment. However, that’s only the beginning of the sleep problems associated with the condition each night.
Sleep apnea episodes can occur dozens of times each night, and your breathing is interrupted every time. These pauses in breathing can last for several seconds and often end without, therefore, can mean hours and hours of lost sleep night after night—a loud snort or cough to restart breathing. Although you may not recall these episodes in the morning, your body and brain do slightly awaken each time. The cumulative effect, therefore, can mean hours and hours of lost sleep night after night.
Please have a look at our Sleep Articles for a more in-depth perspective on sleep apnea.
The most common form of this medical condition is obstructive sleep apnea, in which the back of the tongue and other soft tissues in the throat obstruct the airway. This obstruction causes snoring when air moves past the constricted tissue.
For years, the only treatment for obstructive sleep apnea was a CPAP—Continuous Positive Air Pressure—machine. However, the mask worn with a CPAP machine is uncomfortable for many patients, and the machinery's noises can be difficult to live with. Today, Houston Sleep Associates can design a custom-made oral appliance that gently shifts your lower jaw forward instead. This slight movement opens the airway so you can breathe easily and sleep peacefully. Worn nightly, an oral appliance can eliminate sleep apnea symptoms and help you avoid other illnesses and diseases.
Unfortunately, research shows that sleep apnea can also aggravate or initiate other concerning medical conditions. For example, when breathing stops—even for a few seconds—the oxygen level in your blood decreases. This signals your heart to work harder to send enough oxygenated blood to vital organs. As a result, hypertension—high blood pressure—often develops, potentially leading to other cardiovascular illnesses such as heart disease and strokes.
Other medical conditions that have been linked to sleep apnea are:
Additionally, sleep apnea is often the underlying cause of many automobile accidents. A sleepy driver is a dangerous driver, which makes sleep apnea therapy essential for you, the passengers in your car, and other drivers on the road. Please have your Medical Professional contact us to schedule an elevation with Houston Sleep Associates.
During COVID-19, our patients were affected by the CPAP parts recalls. Unfortunately, many recalled parts were unavailable for replacement, so individuals could not wear their CPAP devices. Dr. Boone was very concerned, which led her to develop a passion for providing sleep apnea and alternative therapy.
At Houston Sleep Associates, Dr. Boone and the team are committed to helping the community find an alternative to treating sleep apnea and resolving snoring without a machine or surgery. Dr. Holly is a qualified dentist with the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, where she has completed over 125 hours of training in dental sleep medicine.
Our patients receive the most cutting-edge treatment modalities by applying the research-based educational training Dr. Holly regularly receives through the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
Since she was three, Dr. Holly has known she wanted to become a dentist. Another significant influence on her life was her great-grandmother, who passed away shortly after having her teeth removed. This experience made her want to help as many people as possible avoid the same fate. Once she started collecting teeth at the dental office as a dental hygienist, Dr. Tamborello inspired her to continue following her dreams, and the rest is history.
If you’re ready to start planning your first appointment or have questions about our dental office, please get in touch with us using the information listed below. You can call during our listed business hours to have one of our team members assist you immediately. Please email us or fax us at any time, and someone will be in touch with you shortly to accommodate your request. Please use the map below to plan your route to our dental office.
Houston Sleep Associates is Located in Montrose
Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are what connect your lower jaw to your skull.
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is a non-invasive treatment option for individuals.
Health-centered dentistry is a holistic approach to dental care that focuses on overall health.
Houston Sleep Associates understands your frustration when patients cannot tolerate a CPAP, and we are here to help. Our first encounter with patients involves an in-depth discussion to understand why they are not using their CPAP. We also confirm that the patient is aware of the dreadful consequences of discontinuing CPAP use. Finally, we stress that they consider a renewed effort to adapt to CPAP. If that is not possible, we will proceed with the oral appliance evaluation.