
Sleep apnea is a serious condition where an individual stops breathing repeatedly during their sleep. Left untreated, the continuous disruption in sleep can dramatically increase a person's chance of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, type two diabetes, weight gain, and strokes.
Fortunately, there has been increasing awareness of sleep apnea and people are starting to get screened and receive appropriate treatment. The dentists at West Market Dental are currently working with Calgary sleep physicians to offer sleep apnea screening and treatment.
A Remmers Sleep Recorder is sent home with the patient to use for 2 - 3 nights. The data from the recorder is then sent to a sleep physician for interpretation and sleep apnea diagnosis.
If appropriate, the dentists are able to fit the patient with a Somnodent Oral Appliance (https://somnomed.com/en/patients/products/somnodent/) to be worn at night to treat the sleep apnea or snoring.
There are pros and cons with the oral appliance vs a Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) ventilator and there is no clear cut best device to treat all sleep apnea conditions, but some patients do find the oral device more comfortable and less cumbersome based on reviews.