Sleep Apnea Treatment – Cary, NC

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea – or, more specifically, obstructive sleep apnea – is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. When your tonsils, tongue, or other structures in your mouth or throat relax during the night, they can collapse and block the airway. This causes regular breathing to stop, and the brain is forced to wake the body up to try and get some air. Sleep apnea episodes can occur hundreds of times every night, stopping you from reaching the deepest restorative stages of sleep.

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

People with sleep apnea tend to be drowsy throughout the day even though they think they slept all night. This could easily lead to accidents on the road and in the workplace. But the most severe damage inflicted by sleep apnea normally could go unseen until it’s too late. People with the disorder are at a very high risk for hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, and stroke. In other words, untreated sleep apnea could be putting your life in danger.

Excessive Snoring

You may not be the only victim of sleep apnea; it could be making it harder for your loved ones to get a good night’s rest as well. Loud snoring is one of the most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, often accompanied by gasping for air. If your spouse complains that your snoring is keeping them up, that should be taken as a sign to have yourself checked for sleep apnea. Treating the disorder should also help stop the noise.

An Alternate to CPAP: Oral Appliance Therapy

CPAP machines that continuously force air into the throat are often the first choice for sleep apnea treatment, but for many patients they’re too loud or uncomfortable to use. That’s why Dr. Singh offers oral appliances as an alternative. An oral appliance will adjust your mouth or tongue in order to keep the airway open; there’s no noisy equipment to deal with, and your appliance will be custom-made to fit easily in your mouth. You might receive a different kind of oral appliance depending on your needs.

Panthera

The Panthera D-SAD appliance is designed on a computer using high-quality digital scans of your mouth before being 3D printed using the latest materials. The oral appliances designed this way are some of the smallest and lightest on the market, and they are precisely made with your comfort in mind.

SomnoMed Herbst Advance

This oral appliance is the first of its kind to feature a calibration indicator that shows exactly how far forward it’s been adjusted – and thus give you and Dr. Singh greater control on your jaw’s resting position. If you have problems with how your appliance feels in your mouth, simply adjust it as needed.

Partnered with Wake County’s Top Sleep Physicians

Getting a good night’s sleep is vital, which is why Dr. Singh works with other sleep experts in Wake County to make sure you get the treatment you need. An outside sleep physician could fully diagnose your condition to confirm whether it’s sleep apnea or a different kind of sleep disorder. They can also suggest treatments such as surgery or CPAP in severe cases where oral appliances on their own may not be as effective.

Understanding the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment

One of the first questions patients have when it comes to sleep apnea treatment isn’t about the actual treatment itself, but rather its cost. The truth is, the total price that you end up paying out of pocket can vary, depending on many different factors. That said, this will all be discussed during your consultation so that you have a clear understanding of what to expect before committing to treatment. In the meantime, here are a few things to keep in mind regarding the cost of sleep apnea treatment in Cary.

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Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment?

In most cases, dental insurance cannot be used to cover sleep apnea treatment, even if the care is being provided by a dentist. This is because sleep apnea is classified as a medical condition, rather than a dental one. However, this means that many patients do end up having the option to use their medical insurance when paying for treatments such as oral appliance therapy. If you’re unsure about what your plan does or doesn’t include, don’t hesitate to ask our team for help!

Factors That Affect the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment

• Sleep study – Before you can receive sleep apnea treatment, you’ll need to be formally diagnosed with the condition. This is done by completing a sleep study, which has its own separate cost.
• Insurance coverage – Every insurance plan offers a different level of coverage when it comes to sleep apnea treatment, which of course can make a meaningful difference in how much you pay directly.
• Treatment choice – The two most common sleep apnea treatments are CPAP therapy and oral appliance therapy, both of which have different costs upfront and over time. That said, the latter tends to be much more affordable!

Treat Your Sleep Apnea Now to Improve Your Health

While you’re thinking about investing in sleep apnea treatment, one important thing to consider is how much it will help you save in the future. Untreated sleep apnea is shown to directly contribute to higher rates of hypertension, or heightened blood pressure, which in turn can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Sleep apnea has also been linked to other issues, including respiratory problems and even diabetes.

Chronic sleep deprivation also causes issues like memory loss, fatigue, and impaired motor function, which can even lead to mistakes at work or accidents at home or behind the wheel, resulting in more expenses. All of these issues can be prevented just by getting your sleep apnea under control!   

Making Sleep Apnea Treatment More Affordable

You might be worried about how you’re going to pay for your sleep apnea treatment, especially if you don’t have insurance coverage for it. But you don’t need to panic! At our office, we’re partnered with Cherry and CareCredit. These two third-party financiers offer qualifying patients the option to enroll in flexible, low-to-no -interest payment plans that can be used on a variety of treatments, such as oral appliance therapy. To learn more or for help signing up, just let our front desk know.

Sleep Apnea FAQs

Are you struggling with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), or do you suspect that you have it? In either case, it is important that you consult with sleep experts who can get you on the road to better rest. Before you schedule your consultation, however, you may have questions about OSA and its available treatments. You may find the information you are seeking in the following list of FAQs. If not, contact us directly. We will be happy to speak with you!