Dental Sleep Medicine of Michigan
www.sleepbettermichigan.com
734.425.4400
Intro to Sleep Apnea
The Greek term, “apnea,” means “without
breath,” or “to stop breathing.” It should come
as no surprise, then, that sleep apnea describes a
malady during which a patient completely stops
breathing while asleep. If you experience the
condition, you may wake up gasping at night,
suddenly feeling choked and struggling to regain
your breath. Or, you may not wake at all;
oblivious to the fact that apnea is preventing you
from falling into a deep, restful sleep. With years
of experience as a dentist who specializes in
sleep-related breathing disorders, Dr. James R. Stewart, Jr. is uniquely qualified to treat patients who are
losing their rest to obstructive sleep apnea.
Dental Sleep Medicine of Michigan
www.sleepbettermichigan.com
734.425.4400
Different Forms of Sleep
Apnea
By definition, all cases of sleep apnea involve the
cessation of breathing. However, not all cases of
sleep apnea are the same, and the disorder can be
classified into three distinct categories, depending
on the nature of your problem.
OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA
Often referred to as OSA for short, the obstructive form is the most frequently-diagnosed type of sleep
apnea. OSA occurs when the muscles and tissues in your throat and oral cavity collapse, blocking
(obstructing) your airway. Obstructive sleep apnea is often marked by snoring that grows in volume as
your airway is increasingly restricted. The noise is suddenly silenced when your breathing stops, and after
a few moments, you’ll gasp as your mind wakes your body to start breathing again.
Dental Sleep Medicine of Michigan
www.sleepbettermichigan.com
734.425.4400
CENTRAL SLEEP APNEA
Central sleep apnea, or CSA, is more difficult to detect
than OSA because its presence isn't announced by
loud snoring and breathing noises. Unlike obstructive
sleep apnea, CSA isn't caused by a physical blockage,
but rather a misfire between the central nervous
system and the muscles that control your breathing.
As a neurological disorder, CSA can cause you to
simply stop breathing, and it can't be treated at the
dentist's office like obstructive sleep apnea often can.
COMPLEX SLEEP APNEA
Patients who experience a combination of central and obstructive sleep disorders may be diagnosed with
complex sleep apnea. A proper diagnosis could require a series of examinations by a team of sleep
experts, and treatment can vary greatly depending on each patient’s specific case.
Dental Sleep Medicine of Michigan
www.sleepbettermichigan.com
734.425.4400
A Closer Look at Obstructive Sleep Apnea
As the most common form of sleep apnea, OSA
affects approximately 20 million Americans or
more, and you might not even know anything is
wrong until the symptoms begin to affect your
daily life. When your brain panics from the lack
of oxygen it can usually wake your body enough
to start breathing again without fully rousing
you from consciousness.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF OSA
A bed partner who can no longer tolerate the
noise of snoring or notices that you stop
breathing will most likely push you to seek treatment from a physician or dentist. Otherwise, the signs
and symptoms that could tip you off to the threat might include:
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Excessive daytime tiredness; trouble staying awake during the day
Changes in temperament, such as unusual irritability
Trouble concentrating or remembering things
Chronic headaches, especially when waking in the morning
Night sweats from the increased effort to breathe
Fatigue
Dental Sleep Medicine of Michigan
www.sleepbettermichigan.com
734.425.4400
RISK FACTORS OF OSA
Sleep apnea of any form can be caused by
many factors, which differ from case to case
according to the nature of the patient’s
malady. Obstructive sleep apnea, for
instance, occurs due to over-relaxed or
abnormally-sized oral tissues, such as the
tonsils, the uvula, the base of your tongue,
or the soft palate at the roof of your mouth.
Besides obtrusive oral structures, other risk
factors for developing OSA can include:
 Obesity
 Neck circumference (people with a
thicker neck may have a narrower airway)
 Smoking tobacco
 Drinking alcohol, especially within four hours of going to sleep
 Sinus infections (sinusitis) or nasal congestion due to allergies
 Family history
 Being older (sleep apnea occurs significantly more in adults older than 60)
 Being male (men are twice as likely to have sleep apnea, however women increase their risk if they
are overweight and their risk also appears to rise after menopause)
Dental Sleep Medicine of Michigan
www.sleepbettermichigan.com
734.425.4400
HEALTH COMPLICATIONS OF OSA
The dangers of untreated sleep apnea stem from
what the condition deprives you of; namely,
oxygen and restful sleep. The cycles of labored,
then halted breathing can recur hundreds of times
in a single night, preventing your mind and body
from falling into the deep, REM stages of sleep
they need to rest and recuperate. As a result of
oxygen and sleep deprivation, OSA can
significantly increase your risks of a number of
different health issues, including:
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Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Heart disease or failure
Mental and physical fatigue
Diabetes
Notably weakened immune system
Weight gain
Stroke
Impotence
Dementia
Cancer
Dental Sleep Medicine of Michigan
www.sleepbettermichigan.com
734.425.4400
How Dr. Stewart Treats OSA
You might wonder how a dentist can help you find relief from a
sleep disorder. The truth is that Dr. Stewart’s extensive
knowledge of oral structures and advanced training means he
can better craft appropriate oral appliances to help correct the
issues behind obstructive sleep apnea. If you exhibit one or
more signs or symptoms of sleep apnea, then Dr. Stewart along with our team of sleep physicians can
help you determine its presence and cause. Once you’ve been diagnosed with OSA, treatment may
include one or more specialized therapies, such as:
 Behavioral Changes—Simple changes, like eating healthier, sleeping on your side instead of your
back, or refraining from alcohol and tobacco can significantly reduce instances of OSA, and in some
cases, alleviate them altogether.
 CPAP Machine & Mask—A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine provides a constant
and consistent flow of air through a mask worn over the mouth and nose. The air pressure helps
maintain your oxygen intake and keep your throat and airway open while you sleep.
 Oral Appliances—If you have mild or moderate OSA or are intolerant to CPAP therapy, then Dr.
Stewart may recommend a custom-fitted oral appliance. Similar to the mouthguards used by
athletes to protect their teeth, an oral appliance fits over your teeth, holding the lower jaw in a
slightly-forward position. Worn while you sleep, the oral appliance can help you stop snoring and
treat sleep apnea by preventing oral tissues from collapsing into your airway.
 Surgery-Removal or reshaping tissues in the throat or repositioning the upper and lower jaws.
Dental Sleep Medicine of Michigan
www.sleepbettermichigan.com
734.425.4400
Sleep Apnea FAQs
I snore. Does that mean I have obstructive sleep apnea?
Snoring is the sound of the walls of your throat vibrating
violently from increased air pressure when the airway is
slightly obstructed. Though habitual, heavy snoring is
most likely a sign of OSA or a similar sleep problem, not all
patients who snore suffer from OSA but snoring alone can
have health consequences.
Can sleep apnea affect children?
Though not as common as it is in older, more mature
adults, sleep apnea can and does affect many children, as
well. If your child snores, experiences night sweats,
exhibits daytime hyperactivity, has behavior problems or if
you notice any other signs that coincide with sleep apnea,
then bring him/her to our office as soon as possible for a
professional assessment. Airway problems can play a big role in the growth and development of your
child.
Dental Sleep Medicine of Michigan
www.sleepbettermichigan.com
734.425.4400
Do all dentists treat sleep apnea?
Not many dentists, like Dr. Stewart, have had advanced
training in treating obstructive sleep apnea. If your current
family dentist doesn’t treat OSA, then he/she may
recommend a trusted sleep dentist, though you can continue
to visit your regular dentist for checkups, cleanings, and your
family’s other dental needs.
How will I know which treatment is right for me?
After a thorough and comprehensive examination, Dr.
Stewart along with your sleep physician can help you decide which treatment plan is appropriate for you.
We’ll periodically monitor your condition through subsequent checkups to ensure that the treatment is
working, and recommend alterations to your treatment plan if necessary to help you continue getting the
sleep you need and deserve.
Dental Sleep Medicine of Michigan
www.sleepbettermichigan.com
734.425.4400
Schedule a Sleep Apnea Consultation Today
If you believe you or someone in your family may have sleep apnea, schedule a consultation with Dr.
James R. Stewart, Jr. by calling our Livonia dental office at (734) 425-4400. For more information on OSA
and the health issues associated with it, visit our dental sleep medicine website at
http://sleepbettermichigan.com/. Besides general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services, we also
offer innovative snoring and sleep apnea treatments to patients and families from Livonia, Farmington
Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and all surrounding communities.
Dental Sleep Medicine of Michigan
www.sleepbettermichigan.com
734.425.4400