sleep apnea
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep-related breathing disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea, which happens when the airway becomes blocked during the night. ​​​​​​​​​
Common Signs of Sleep Apnea:​​
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Loud snoring
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Gasping or choking during sleep
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Waking up tired
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Morning headaches
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Dry mouth
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Excessive daytime sleepiness
Types of Sleep Apnea:​
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea: most common-- airway gets blocked during sleep
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Central Sleep Apnea: breathing briefly stops
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Complex Sleep Apnea: combination of both obstructive and central apnea.
Oral Sleep Appliance Treatment:
Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the patient’s needs. CPAP remains a common treatment, but oral appliance therapy (OAT) can also play an important role. Oral appliance therapy is an appropriate treatment for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and for severe cases when CPAP is not tolerated. Custom, properly fitted oral appliances work by helping keep the airway open during sleep and should be provided as part of a collaborative approach with a physician or sleep specialist.
FusionSleep® & Billing:
For oral sleep appliances, our office is unable to bill to medical insurance in-house. We partner with FusionSleep®, a company that specializes in sleep-related care, testing, and treatment support. They will handle the medical insurance side, so they can help submit those claims through medical insurance. If you do not wish to use medical insurance, we do offer a self-pay option.
Sleep Apnea Diagnosis:
If you plan to use medical insurance for an oral sleep appliance, you must first have a confirmed sleep apnea diagnosis. This requires a sleep study. If you have not already completed one, we work with FusionSleep® to help guide you through the diagnostic process and coordinate the testing needed before treatment. If you are choosing the self-pay option, a sleep study is not required beforehand but recommended for precise treatment.
