Bishop & Bishop Dental Recommends Treatments for Sleep Apnea

SILVER SPRING, Md. - Nov. 21, 2016 - PRLog -- Bishop & Bishop Dental
(301) 608-9270
www.bishopdental.com

Bishop & Bishop Dental Recommends Treatments for Sleep Apnea

When people have trouble breathing in their sleep, it may not occur to them that their dentist may be the person to ask for help. But in obstructive sleep apnea, the patient's airflow is being cut off by swollen or excessive throat tissue. At Bishop & Bishop Dental, Drs. David Bishop and Dorienne Taylor-Bishop are able to advise patients on lifestyle changes and customize devices to help them sleep, and refer them for surgical options.

Sleep apnea is characterized by shallow or halted breathing during sleep. People are often unaware that they have it unless it is pointed out to them by a spouse, but some warning signs are the fatigue, distraction, and irritability that come from not getting enough rest. In children, sleep apnea can result in poor school performance and behavior problems which are often misunderstood, and in adults, the fallout can include high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems.

Sometimes, sleep apnea is due to a nervous disorder, but in most cases, it results from collapse of soft tissues. One method for dealing with this is a uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), in which the uvula, tonsils, and parts of the soft palate are removed or reduced, usually with the use of a laser. This option has been reported to aid with snoring, but often requires hospitalization. More interventionist approaches include maxillomandibular advancement, in which both jaws are broken and refitted to enlarge the airway. Sometimes, surgical options concentrate more on the nasal passageways, as in the correction of deviated septums, which straighten out the central bone in the nose.

However, in most cases, these surgeries are a last resort. Dentists can design customized oral appliances for patients to keep in their mouths during sleep, which can help reposition the jaws to keep airways open. Doctors can also recommend wearable machines which control the air pressure into a patient's mouth and nose. Smoking and obesity can put people at risk for sleep apnea, but it can befall anyone. Dr. Bishop and Dr. Taylor-Bishop are happy to provide patients with more information if they suspect they are suffering from sleep apnea, and can be an indispensable part of the patients' care team.

David Bishop, DDS, operates Bishop & Bishop Dental at our new location (as of December 1, 2016) 8757 Georgia Ave, #810, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910, with the assistance of his wife, Dorienne Taylor-Bishop, DDS. To set up an appointment, call 301-608-9270 or visit BishopDental.com (http://www.bishopdental.com/) and fill out a contact sheet (http://www.bishopdental.com/contact-us/).