Sleep Apnea Specialist

Byung Sun Yoo, DDS

Comprehensive Family Dentistry & General Dentistry located in San Diego, CA

Many people don’t realize it, but the treatment of sleep disorders frequently begins at your dentist’s office. And with an estimated 22 million adults in the United States suffering from sleep apnea, 80% of which are undiagnosed, it might be time to book your dental appointment. Byung Sun Yoo, DDS, provides exceptional sleep apnea treatments for his patients in San Diego, California. Don’t deprive yourself of sleep any longer. Schedule your visit today by calling the office or booking an appointment online.

619-231-1624

Sleep Apnea Q & A

What is sleep apnea?

“Apnea” is the Greek word for “without breath,” and obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder where you stop breathing for extended periods of time throughout the night. It happens when your airway becomes obstructed during sleep, which typically happens because of excess tissue in the throat, poor jaw positioning, or the relaxing and collapsing of the muscles in your airway.

These episodes of breathlessness can last between 10 seconds and several minutes and can occur hundreds of times throughout the night.

Sleep apnea is very dangerous. It deprives your brain of oxygen, which can severely interfere with the proper functioning of your body.

Do I have sleep apnea?

Some of the symptoms of sleep apnea include:

Irritability
Waking up gasping for air or choking
Morning headaches
Fatigue
Loud snoring
Insomnia
Memory impairment
Restless sleep
Decreased interest in sex

If you or a loved one have noticed these symptoms, schedule an appointment immediately with Dr. Yoo. He and his team of dental professionals are trained to recognize signs of sleep apnea, like worn tooth surfaces from bruxism or an irritated throat from snoring.

What are the complications of untreated sleep apnea?

When left untreated, sleep apnea is detrimental to your health.

Some of sleep apnea’s short-term effects include:

Memory impairment
Poor quality of life
Increased risk of occupational injuries and auto accidents
Impaired alertness
Increased stress and anxiety

Some of sleep apnea’s long-term effects include:

Depression
Attention deficit disorder
Obesity
Stroke
High blood pressure
Mood disorders
Arrhythmia
Diabetes
Heart disease

How do you treat sleep apnea?

Dr. Yoo and his team treat sleep apnea with custom-designed oral appliances. These appliances, called mandibular advancement devices (MAD), are recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

The MAD appliance is made from an impression of your teeth, so it fits comfortably and snugly in your mouth, just like an orthodontic appliance or a mouth guard that you’d wear for sports. The appliance works by pushing your lower jaw slightly forward, which prevents your tongue and throat muscles from collapsing in on themselves and opens up your airway for a better night’s rest.

Get the good night’s rest your body needs by scheduling a sleep apnea consultation at Dr. Byung Sun Yoo, DDS. You can book your visit by calling the office or scheduling online.

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