Man sleeping soundly

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Sleep apnea does more than just cause you to snore: this serious condition makes getting a good night's sleep nearly impossible. Left untreated, it can lead to serious health issues and can even be fatal in extreme cases. Fortunately, effective treatments are available. Learn how sleep apnea treatment from Delany Dental Care in Gurnee, IL, can help improve your life by giving you some much-needed rest.

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If you suspect you have sleep apnea or have been diagnosed and are seeking treatment, Delany Dental Care is here to help. Start the process towards better sleep and a better quality of life by requesting a consultation at our Gurnee, IL, office.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a major health concern for millions of Americans and is often ignored or misdiagnosed. Untreated sleep apnea can cause someone to stop breathing repeatedly while sleeping. In some cases, breathing can stop hundreds of times during the night and may not resume for up to a minute or longer.

Treatment of sleep apnea offers patients a number of positive health benefits, including better sleep and improved mood and concentration. It can also lower your risk of developing life-threatening health issues such as heart attack and stroke.

An Obstructed Airway Can Lead to Sleep Apnea

Sleep disorders can take a toll on your physical and mental health, making treatment vital. In patients with obstructive sleep apnea, the muscles at the back of the throat relax during sleep. This narrows or altogether closes the airway.

Obstructed Airway versus Unobstructed Airway showing tongue and soft palate
Treatments like oral appliances can help patients breathe easily, get better rest, and live fuller lives. 

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can often be misdiagnosed, since the symptoms can occur in a variety of sleep disorders. If you have a combination of the following symptoms, request a consultation so we can check your symptoms and recommend next steps. Symptoms of sleep apnea can include:
  • Snoring
  • High blood pressure
  • Poor sleep quality
  • Headaches after you wake up
  • Dry mouth or sore throat 
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Trouble focusing
  • Weight gain

We've Helped Hundreds of Sleep Apnea Patients Find Out How We Can Help You

We have effectively treated hundreds of patients who have experienced first hand an increase in sleep quality and a reduction of airway obstruction. Eliminate snoring and increase the quality of sleep for both you and your partner with a sleep apnea device from Delany Dental Care. Our team aims to offer patients treatment that is as effective as CPAP, only much more comfortable and easier to use.

To request a consultation to learn how an oral appliance can help with you obstructive sleep apnea, send an online message to our Gurnee, IL dental office or call us at:

(847) 623-5530

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"I wake rested and have no headaches." 5-Star Reviews From Gurnee, IL, Patients

1

Cathie Pekley

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Anyone with TMJ, or sleep apnea issues needs to visit Delany Dental Care. I started one year ago with Dr. Shapira. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and also was snoring all night long. I had a consult with Dr. Shapira and he treated me with a DNA appliance. I went from full snoring all night and most often stopped breathing most often during the night, 100%, to under 5%. I can now sleep on my back with no blockage from airways. I wake rested and have no headaches. I appreciate Delany Dental and Dr. Shapira for his care and knowledge.

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1

Dennis Cusumano

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I am EXTREMELY happy with the treatment I received from Doctor Shapira, and the results of his treatment. I would HIGHLY recommend Doctor Shapira, if you are having issues with jaw pain, sleep appnea, or any dental issues. Doctor Shapira, has done extensive research on many issues, that most doctors, have not even heard of. Plus, Doctor Shapira, has had several papers and studies, published, regarding numerous dental health and related issues!

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Who Is at Risk for Sleep Apnea?

Those who are at the greatest risk are men, patients who are obese, have high blood pressure, and individuals over the age of forty. However, many people are affected: in fact, there is a surprising number of young healthy males and females that are treated for apnea, snoring, and upper airway resistance syndrome who do not have any of these risk factors. Many people who suffer from this sleep disorder may not realize that their constant fatigue or snoring is due to sleep apnea.

Types of Sleep Apnea

A sleep study can determine what type of sleep apnea you have. A sleep study may not be necessary for all patients.
Mature man yawning while holding a mug

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea. Your upper airway is obstructed when the muscles in the back of your throat relax. Low oxygen levels may cause you to snore or suddenly wake up, leading to poor sleep. 

Man snoring in bed

Central Sleep Apnea

While a physical body part causes obstructive sleep, central sleep apnea is caused by brain activity. Patients with central sleep apnea have trouble relaying the message to breathe from their brain to their lungs. Central sleep apnea cannot be fixed with oral appliances.

Woman in sleep study

Mixed Sleep Apnea

Mixed sleep apnea is the rarest form of the condition and occurs when a patient has both obstructive and central sleep apnea. A sleep study can help us know if your sleep apnea is mixed or not. 

Sleep Apnea and Mental Health

Sleep apnea can cause dangerous physical symptoms as well as mental symptoms. Since patients aren’t getting the sleep they need during the night and their oxygen levels are low, fatigue can lead to mental health problems that affect the patient in their daily life. 
Depression decreased from 75% to 4% in sleep apnea patients after therapy.
Treating sleep apnea allows patients to live with fewer physical and mental side effects. 

Treatment Tailored to Fit Your Specific Needs

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea. Usually caused by an airway blockage, obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissue (tongue, soft palate, and pharyngeal walls) in the rear of the throat collapses and closes off your airway while you sleep. The most common symptoms are snoring, episodes of not breathing, and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Mild cases of obstructive sleep apnea can be treated with lifestyle changes such as weight loss. If obstructive sleep apnea symptoms persist, however, a physician will prescribe a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. These machines deliver continuous positive airway pressure via a mask in order to keep the airway open, eliminating the symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea. 

Unfortunately, while continuous positive airway pressure device treatment is effective, many patients have a hard time tolerating these machines. For those who simply cannot sleep wearing a mask, and may have to resort to sleep medicine to get a full night of rest, Dr. Ira Shapira at our practice in Gurnee, IL, can treat the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea disorder with an oral appliance.

"The appliance was wonderful." Hear From One of Our Patients

The team of dental professionals at Delany Dental Care in Gurnee, IL, can assist those who suffer from the symptoms of sleep apnea disorder. If you have found that a CPAP device helps eliminate apnea episodes and symptoms such as snoring, but is too intrusive to use on a regular basis, you may benefit from an oral appliance. You should not have to resort to sleep medicine, either over-the-counter or prescribed by a physician, to sleep at night. 
An oral device from our Gurnee, IL, dental practice can be effective in reducing a reliance on sleep medicine or a CPAP machine. A custom oral device can eliminate apnea episodes by opening the air passages so that you can enjoy a good night's sleep. Less obtrusive than a CPAP machine, these customized appliances reposition the lower jaw and tongue to keep the airway open to reduce and even eliminate breathing issues and snoring.

The Results of Treatment Can Truly Change Your Life

While CPAP is considered the "gold standard" treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, many find the device difficult to wear. It does not matter how effective treatment is if a patient suffering from sleep apnea is unwilling to use the device. 

Oral appliances are often more effective at treating sleep apnea for the simple reason that patients are willing to use them on a regular basis. Coupled with recent advances in technology, oral appliances continue to improve, allowing those who have trouble using CPAP devices the ability to take advantage of a good night's sleep. 

The team at our practice in Gurnee, IL, can help those suffering from moderate to severe sleep apnea get the rest they need with the help of a custom oral appliance. In doing so, they can enjoy the many benefits of a full night's rest, including lowered risks of depression, better mood, and more energy throughout the day.

sleep apnea oral appliance

"What dentistry should be." More 5-Star Reviews From Gurnee, IL, Patients

1

Charlene Brown

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I cannot imagine my dental work ever being done by any other dentist than Dr. Shapira!  I have been seeing higm for several years to help correct my sleep apnea. I cannot tolerate CPap so Dr. Shapira created an oral device that has literally been saving my life! I am a high risk patient and absolutely swear that I might not even be here if it weren't for this incredible Doctor! I highly recommend Delany Dental for a real experience in what dentistry should be and rarely is!

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1

Janene Harris

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Dr Shapira diagnosed sleep apnea in my 10 year old son that has been missed.  He provided excellent recommendations for corrective orthodontics and ENT. It has been life changing for him. As a dental group, they are caring for the patient more holistically and provide significant value for you time and cost.

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Delany Dental Care

Delany Dental Care has been providing the residents of Gurnee, IL and all surrounding areas within Lake County, IL and beyond with cosmetic and restorative dental treatments since 1984. When you choose Delany Dental Care, you're choosing a practice that is affiliated with many prestigious organizations, including:

  • American Dental Association
  • Chicago Dental Society
  • Illinois Dental Society
  • Academy of General Dentistry
  • American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

If you and your loved ones need high-quality dental care, we invite you to fill out our contact form or call us at (847) 623-5530.

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