Those living with sleep apnea can understand the frustration that comes with obstructed breathing during periods of much-needed rest. That’s why Dr. Katie Orr, your friendly sleep apnea dentist in Indianapolis, Indiana, is here to provide you with a comprehensive solution for treating the issue.
Sleep Apnea: What Is It and Why Should I Be Concerned?
Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder caused by repeated pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep. These pauses can happen multiple times an hour and can last from a few seconds to minutes. To treat sleep apnea, you must first be diagnosed by a medical professional and, in some instances, undergo imaging or other lab tests prior to treatment. There are two types of sleep apnea to be aware of:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – This form occurs when your upper airway is blocked when you sleep, restricting normal airflow. Causes of blockages include obesity, larger tonsils, or hormone changes.
- Central sleep apnea – This form develops when your brain stops sending signals that you need to breathe when you’re sleeping. This type of sleep apnea is not as common as OSA.
Individuals can also experience a mix of both conditions. Common symptoms that sleep apnea causes includes:
- Waking up throughout the night
- Breathing pauses when sleeping
- Inconsistent breathing patterns
- Snoring
- Feeling short of breath
- Exhaustion
- Headaches
- Night sweats
According to the National Library of Medicine, it’s estimated that 936 million adults worldwide experience obstructive sleep apnea. If you are among them, it’s vital to address the condition by seeking out a dentist for sleep apnea treatments in Indianapolis.
Why You Should See a Dentist for Sleep Apnea Treatment
If you’re experiencing OSA, one path of treatment can be wearing oral appliances that are made specifically for you. These devices will help open up your airways and keep your mouth in a position that promotes better airflow.
The two types of oral appliances that are typically used for treating OSA include:
- Mandibular advancement devices (MADS) – These devices pull your jaw and tongue forward, creating more space for airflow. They work by using two separate parts that cover your top and bottom teeth, with screws and rubber bands creating tension to pull your lower jaw.
- Tongue stabilizing devices (TSDs) – By using suction, these devices pull your tongue forward and keep it in place while sleeping. TSDs are placed outside of your mouth.
An Overview of Our Sleep Apnea Services
The main treatment option that our Indianapolis dentist for sleep apnea offers is snoring appliance therapy. To promote a better night’s sleep, oral appliances are administered to a patient, which aid in repositioning the mouth and neck during sleep. This helps the patient maintain a stable breathing pattern, even during hours of deep sleep.
Our oral appliances to treat sleep apnea are comprised of hard acrylic thermoplastics, and they look similar to a sports mouth guard. For more information about our oral appliance solutions, please reach out to our sleep apnea dentist’s office.
Dr. Katie Orr will work closely with you to ensure that the oral device you’re using is tailored specifically for your mouth, so you can be as comfortable as possible when sleeping. As a sleep apnea dentist, she will also walk you through the process of how to place the device correctly in your mouth before you sleep.
It can take about two to four weeks to adjust to the oral devices, but once you’re comfortable, your overall sleep will improve because your body will begin breathing properly while sleeping.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Three Simple Steps
Ready to treat your sleep apnea? If so, here is what to expect when working with our team:
- Initial visit – During your first appointment with us, we will evaluate your current condition. From there, we will recommend the most appropriate type of oral appliance to use for your treatment.
- Fittings and customization – Once snoring appliance therapy is recommended for your condition, we will take intraoral scans of your teeth so an oral appliance can be custom-manufactured. Please note that you’ll have to return to our office for the final fitting and adjustment. Some adjustments may be needed to aid sleeping.
- Progress checks – Regular visits with Dr. Katie are crucial to ensure that your oral appliance is working correctly. We will also take time at these appointments to address any side effects of the treatment and make further adjustments as needed.
Benefits of Treating Sleep Apnea
There are numerous reasons why patients choose to receive treatment for their obstructive and central sleep apnea, with some of the main advantages and outcomes of the treatment including the following:
- Improved sleep quality
- Increased cardiovascular and metabolic health
- Reduced risk of accidents
- Decreased risk of type 2 diabetes
- Boosted mental and emotional health
- Enhanced cognitive function
About Our Practice
If you’re looking to schedule an initial visit, here is our location info:
5430 E. 86th Street,
Indianapolis, IN 46250
317-598-8500
When taking E 86th Street west, and passing through Allisonville Road, you’ll find Dr. Katie Orr to your right. We have plenty of parking available at our office and we are located in front of Best Buddies in Indiana and Prometric.
FAQs About Our Sleep Apnea Dentistry in Indianapolis and More
What are your hours of operation?
Looking to schedule an appointment with our Indianapolis sleep apnea dentist? If so, you can find us during these times:
Monday – 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday – 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday – Closed
Thursday – 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday – Closed
What areas do you serve?
Along with the city of Indianapolis, our dentist’s office for sleep apnea is proud to serve the surrounding communities, including:
- Five Points
- Chapel Hill
- Fishers
- Speedway
- Millersville
Will the oral appliance help with snoring?
Yes, oral appliances can be an effective solution in treating snoring, which is one of the main side effects of obstructive sleep apnea. The appliance does so by positioning the patient’s jaw forward during sleep, helping to keep the airway open. This, in turn, reduces patient snoring, ultimately improving sleep quality and overall health.
Are there any side effects of using oral appliances to treat sleep apnea?
Yes, there can be side effects when using an oral appliance for sleep apnea, but you’ll be pleased to know that many are mild and temporary. These short-term effects include:
- Increased salivation
- Dry mouth
- Gum irritation
- Jaw or tooth pain
- Changes in bite patterns
As your trusted sleep apnea dentist serving Indianapolis, our team wants to ensure that your treatment is as smooth and seamless as possible. With that in mind, please reach out to us with any questions you may have about the process and its side effects, as we will be happy to help.
What other services does Dr. Katie Orr provide?
In addition to being an Indianapolis dentist for sleep apnea treatment, Dr. Katie provides other holistic services, such as:
- Children’s dentistry
- Cleanings and checkups
- Fillings (tooth color-matched)
- Sealants to prevent decay
- Periodontal scaling and root planing
Schedule Your Visit with Us
Choose Dr. Katie Orr as your dentist for sleep apnea in Indianapolis, Indiana! If you have any additional questions about our offerings, be sure to contact our team for help or to make an appointment! We look forward to hearing from you.