Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep.
These pauses can last for a few seconds to a few minutes and happen many times during the night.
Sleep Apnea carries many symptoms, some more impactful than others. These include:
Types of Treatments Learn More Dentists pioneered the use of oral appliance therapy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring in adults. This treatment is an alternative to the more widely known CPAP therapy. The oral appliance can be an effective treatment option, typically for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Oral appliances fit like a sports mouth guard or orthodontic retainer. A custom-fit oral sleep appliance made by a trained dentist prevents the airway from collapsing by supporting the jaw in a forward position.
Oral appliances can be effective at alleviating symptoms associated with sleep apnea and improving quality of life when used on a nightly basis.
It is likely that you will sleep better, have more energy and feel sharper throughout the day. You may find that your bed partner begins to sleep better, too!
Carolyn Bednar, DDS, D.ABDSM is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and has been voted a Columbus area top dentist each year since 2016. Graduating from DePauw University in 1975 with a degree in Chemistry, she went on to obtain her Doctorate of Dental Surgery at The Ohio State University in 1978.
Her passion for sleep medicine is deeply rooted, originating back in Junior High. It all began with a Science fair project, in which she observed her friends overnight in order to study the effects of sleep.
Fast forward to today and that same interest was rekindled when she herself was diagnosed with sleep apnea. She was not alone in this struggle, as her husband and sister were diagnosed as well.
After receiving treatment, she was amazed at how much her quality of life and health improved. This sparked a new found passion to study dental sleep medicine in order to improve the health and well-being of others.
