Can Invisalign Help with Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is becoming an increasingly common sleep disorder in today’s fast-paced society. It affects affecting millions of adults and children in the USA. Over 18 million individuals are affected nationwide. 

Often manifested by paused or shallow breathing during sleep, leading to serious consequences if left untreated. While traditional treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy are effective solutions, some patients find them uncomfortable or inconvenient. Invisalign offers another possible solution as an advancement of dental technology.

All About Invisalign and Sleep Apnea

Invisalign is well-known for its discreet and comfortable teeth straightening capabilities, but can Invisalign cure snoring?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll discuss in detail about Invisalign and Sleep apnea:

What Is Sleep Apnea Exactly?

Before diving into how Invisalign can assist, it is crucial to gain an understanding of sleep apnea and its impact on overall health. Sleep apnea typically manifests itself by snoring, gasping for air during sleep, and daytime fatigue. Its main types are Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA).

OSA typically occurs when throat muscles relax excessively during sleep thus blocking off the airway; while CSA involves a malfunction in the brain’s respiratory control center causing malfunction in the control center of respiratory control centers of the brain.

The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. Some of the symptoms of all the types of sleep apnea include:

• Intense snoring
• Feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep
• Gasping during sleep
• Waking up with a dry mouth
• Difficulty staying asleep
• Irritability
• Difficulty paying attention. 

The Causes of Sleep Apnea

Excess weight, thicker necks, narrow airways, and nasal congestion are just some of the things that can cause or aggravate sleep apnea. Evidence has shown that certain lifestyles and habits can cause it, but the condition can be congenital.

Sleep apnea can also be caused or aggravated by certain orthodontic issues. There are some cases in which the airway might be obstructed because of tooth misalignment, jaw misalignment, and dental arch issues. 

The Effects of Untreated Sleep Apnea

If unaddressed, sleep apnea can cause several severe health problems down the line. People suffering from this condition have an increased risk of the following:

• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Arrhythmias
• Heart failure
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Worsening of ADHD symptoms
• Headaches.

Snoring is not just what needs to be remedied when it comes to sleep apnea but rather oxygen deprivation, which can cause long-term damage. 

How Invisalign Relates to Sleep Apnea

The key component lies in its ability to correct certain dental issues that aggravate symptoms of the disorder. That includes misaligning of teeth or jaw due to misbites, or crowding that affect jaw position which in turn exacerbate the disorder further. It can also help with overbites, ask your dentist if Invisalign for overbites is also an option.

By gradually shifting teeth into their proper alignment using Invisalign it creates more space within the mouth and airway thus decreasing the likelihood of obstruction during sleep time.

Comfort

Invisalign aligners in Matthews NC are custom-made from smooth plastic material for maximum comfort when worn at nighttime. No metal wires or brackets protruding inside your mouth. As such, Invisalign is ideal for nighttime wear.

Attractive Treatment

Adults often hesitate to pursue orthodontic treatment due to concerns over aesthetics. With Invisalign aligners, treatment can be conducted discreetly without drawing too much attention to itself.

Removability

Invisalign aligners can be easily taken off for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing purposes without disrupting sleep like bulky CPAP machines. This facilitates better oral hygiene while providing uninterrupted restful nights.

Gradual Adjustment

The aligners are replaced every one to two weeks to minimize discomfort while gradually aligning teeth and jaw over time. This gradual adjustment allows for precise positioning.

While one might not see how Invisalign can be a solution to snoring, it is one of the only courses of action in orthodontic-caused sleep apnea.  Many times when you have a narrow bite or severely crowded teeth, your tongue does not have the room it needs and will tend to fall back and obstruct the airway.  Braces or aligners will be needed to reshape and transform the mouth and reduce the obstructions. 

Are You a Candidate For Invisalign?

While Invisalign provides many advantages for treating sleep apnea, you must consult a certified dentist or orthodontist first to assess if it’s the ideal treatment option for you. They will assess any dental issues, severity of sleep apnea, and overall health factors. Next, they will create a personalized plan based on these assessments.

Invisalign can play a pivotal role in both managing sleep apnea and improving quality of life by helping address underlying dental issues. If you are suffering from sleep apnea and seeking treatment solutions such as Invisalign for healthier restful nights then it is crucial to ask your dentist who is a good candidate for Invisalign.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Sleep apnea is a fairly common problem—one that nobody should ever underestimate. Though its causes for every person might be difficult to determine, you should see the specialists should some of these symptoms begin to manifest.

It is paramount that you address this problem as soon as possible to prevent more serious complications. If you’re looking for an Invisalign specialist, call us at Matthews Family Dentistry for your appointment. We provide many services that can not only give you that perfect smile you’ve always dreamed of, along with a level of oral health you deserve.