Sleep Apnea Treatment in Lake Ridge, VA
Do you snore, choke or gasp in your sleep? Do you fall asleep anywhere, anytime, or wake up frequently and feel exhausted even after the recommended 8 hrs of sleep?
It could be sleep apnea.
At Lake Ridge Dental, we use research-backed therapies to find the root cause of your sleep apnea. Then, we create an integrated care plan to drastically improve your sleep quality, helping you wake up rested and with energy to do your day.
Take our 2-minute Sleep Apnea Self Assessment and find answers today!
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. Your airway may be closing during sleep, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. If you’ve experienced any of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from sleep apnea:
- Loud snoring
- Restless sleep or waking up gasping for air
- Waking with dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headache or TMJ soreness
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Heartburn and GERD
- Anxiety, depression, or insomnia
Symptoms In Children:
- Loud snoring
- Noisy breathing or restless during sleep
- Daytime sleepiness and irritability
- Bed wetting
- Sleep walking or night terrors
- Behavioral or learning problems
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Find out how Sleep Apnea is affecting you
The Hidden Link Between TMD and Disrupted Sleep
TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) can be closely tied to your sleep quality. An underdeveloped or misaligned jaw can obstruct breathing and disrupt sleep. This can be a root cause behind conditions like snoring, sleep apnea, and chronic fatigue.
These interconnected problems become a vicious cycle impacting your sleep, pain, inflammation, and health. By treating TMD and sleep apnea together, we can resolve symptoms and improve your sleep, energy, pain levels, and quality of life.
Oral Appliance Therapy
OAT is an effective, non-invasive treatment option for snoring and OSA that fits easily into your lifestyle. The oral appliance looks like an orthodontic retainer, but supports the jaw in a forward position to help keep your upper airway open, preventing sleep apnea and snoring.
Dr. Berrada is trained to provide OAT and can make a custom-fitted oral appliance using impressions and models of your mouth. Patients enjoy it because it’s comfortable, easy to wear, quiet, portable, convenient for travel, and easy to clean.
Treating snoring or sleep apnea with OAT can help you feel like a new person, improving your sleep, restoring your alertness, and revitalizing your health. Your symptoms, and your quality of life, can improve dramatically when you remain committed to your treatment.
Meet Your Doctor
Dr. Ofeliya A. Kara
Dr. Ofeliya Kara provides dental care for patients in Woodbridge, Virginia at Dr. Robert C. Dost & Associates. Dr. Kara recently began offering dental care at this practice after receiving her Virginia accreditation for licensure. Before that, Dr. Kara worked in a private practice in Moscow and moved to the U.S. in 1999 to provide patients in the states with quality dental care. Her career as a dentist started in 1997 after she earned her degree from the Moscow Medical Stomatological Institute.
Dr. Kara is committed to making sure she can provide her Woodbridge patients with dependable care. In order to do this, she takes continuing education courses in dentistry and participates in dental study clubs. This helps her stay informed on the latest treatments and practices in dentistry. For example she recently completed a two-year residency program, called The Advanced Education in General Dentistry, at NYU Lutheran Dental Medicine in 2016.
Dr. Kara speaks both English and Russian fluently. When she’s not providing dental care or furthering her dental education, she spends time with friends and explores Woodbridge and the surrounding areas. She also loves dining out and going to the movies.
About Us
Our team of Lake Ridge VA dentists also includes dental hygienists, dental assistants, and office staff who pride themselves on treating each patient with courtesy and providing a welcoming and caring environment. The team at Lake Ridge Dental looks forward to providing Woodbridge patients with the care they need and helping them improve their smile and oral health.
At Lake Ridge Dental Associates, we provide comprehensive family and cosmetic dentistry for patients in the Woodbridge, Virginia area. Dr. Robert C. Dost and Dr. Ofeliya Kara offer a wide range of quality treatments for patients with dental problems and those who need routine dental care.
Find out how Sleep Apnea is affecting you
A Simple 2-Step Process
The Screening Process
To begin, we’ll review your dental and medical history, perform a screening exam, and then conduct diagnostic tests. Additionally, we’ll evaluate your head, neck, airway space, tongue, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) and it’s position. We may refer you to a sleep physician for an assessment and a sleep study if necessary.
Custom Treatment Plan
Once all diagnostic testing and results are gathered and an obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis is confirmed, a customized plan will be created. This may include an appliance in conjunction with other therapies.
Did you know…
Sleep apnea increases the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, depression and sexual dysfunction.
Find out how Sleep Apnea is affecting you
Customized, Quality Care That Fits Your Budget
Complimentary Insurance Coverage Check
Our team will provide complimentary medical insurance benefit verification and help with claim submission. Patients pay their portion in full and will be reimbursed by their insurance provider.
Enjoy up to 6 months of interest-free payments!
We understand that treatment can be an investment. That’s why we work with financing providers to offer payment plans to cover either all or part of your treatment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
How Does Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) Work?
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Oral Appliance Therapy, or OAT for short, uses a special mouthguard. This mouthguard changes the position of your jaw when you sleep, which prevents oral tissue from sagging into your airway. This means that your breathing won’t be interrupted at night. OAT is ideal for patients with minor-to-moderate apnea.
What Else Can I Do To Treat Sleep Apnea?
Your sleep specialist and your dentist may make some lifestyle recommendations to help with sleep apnea. These may include quitting smoking, exercising, losing weight, avoiding drugs and alcohol (especially before bed), and sleeping on your side, rather than on your back or your stomach.
Should I choose oral appliance therapy or CPAP?
Both oral appliance therapy and CPAP can be effective treatments for sleep apnea and TMJ pain. Oral appliances can effectively treat mild to moderate sleep apnea while also providing relief for TMJ pain by repositioning the jaw. CPAP is considered more consistently effective for severe sleep apnea but requires wearing a face mask attached to a machine, which some find uncomfortable and disruptive for sleep. It's important to discuss your specific symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle with your doctor to find the best treatment for your sleep apnea and TMJ pain.
Is there a link between TMD and OSA?
TMD can be closely tied to your sleep quality. Poor sleep from conditions like sleep apnea deprives your body of enough sleep and oxygen. This will cause sleep bruxism (grinding) leading to jaw pain and teeth wear.
On the other hand, retruded and misaligned Jaws can put strain on your jaw joint (TMJ) and cause airway restriction. This will make you more prone to snoring and disrupted breathing. These interconnected problems become a vicious cycle impacting your sleep, pain, inflammation and overall health.