If you wake up tired no matter how long you sleep, snore loudly, or have been told you stop breathing at night, you may have obstructive sleep apnea. It is one of the most common sleep disorders, and many people who have it do not know it.
At Drew Dental, Dr. Allyson Drew and Dr. Jason Drew screen patients for signs of sleep-disordered breathing and provide oral appliance therapy for patients throughout Aptos, Capitola, Soquel, and Santa Cruz County. We work alongside sleep physicians to help you get a diagnosis and a treatment you can actually live with.
Call (831) 688-6060 to schedule a sleep consultation.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when the muscles in the back of the throat relax during sleep and the airway narrows or closes. When the airway closes completely, it is called an apnea. When it partially closes and airflow drops, it is called a hypopnea.
Each event lowers the oxygen in your blood. Your brain responds by briefly waking you to restart normal breathing, often with a snort or gasp. These awakenings are usually so short that you do not remember them, but they can happen dozens of times an hour and keep you from reaching deep, restorative sleep.
Sleep apnea severity is measured by the number of events per hour of sleep, called the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI):
| Severity | Events per hour |
|---|---|
| Mild | 5 to 14 |
| Moderate | 15 to 29 |
| Severe | 30 or more |
Snoring is the sound of air moving through a narrowed airway. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but loud, frequent snoring is one of its most common signs, especially when it comes with pauses, gasping, or choking. Because the two can sound alike, only a sleep study can tell them apart.
Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not send the proper signal to the breathing muscles. It is less common and is managed by a sleep physician.
Mixed or complex sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) falls between simple snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Airflow is restricted enough to disturb sleep and cause daytime symptoms, even though a sleep study may not show full apneas or significant oxygen drops.
Some of the most telling signs happen while you are asleep, so a bed partner often notices them first.
At night:
During the day:
If you recognize several of these, especially daytime sleepiness combined with loud snoring, it is worth being evaluated.
Sleep apnea can affect anyone, including children and people at a healthy weight. Risk is higher for people who:
Repeated drops in oxygen and constant interruptions to sleep put strain on the entire body. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea is associated with a higher risk of:
Sleep apnea can also create risks during surgery and sedation. If you know or suspect you have it, tell your physician before any procedure.
The good news is that effective treatment can improve sleep quality, energy, and daytime alertness, and helps reduce these long-term risks.
Dentists see patients more often than most other healthcare providers, which puts us in a good position to spot early warning signs. During your exam, we look for:
None of these signs diagnose sleep apnea on their own. When we see a pattern, we talk with you about your sleep and help you take the next step.
Sleep apnea is a medical condition and must be diagnosed by a physician through a sleep study. There are two main options:
How Drew Dental helps: we screen patients for signs of sleep-disordered breathing, review your symptoms with you, and help you arrange a sleep study with a physician. If you have already been diagnosed, we coordinate directly with your sleep physician.
The right treatment depends on the severity of your sleep apnea, your anatomy, and what you will use consistently.
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). A machine delivers pressurized air through a mask to hold the airway open. CPAP is highly effective when used every night and is usually the first recommendation for severe sleep apnea. Many people, however, find it difficult to wear.
Oral appliance therapy. A custom-fitted device worn during sleep holds the lower jaw slightly forward to keep the airway open. It is a recognized option for mild to moderate sleep apnea and for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP. This is the treatment Drew Dental provides. Learn more about CPAP alternatives.
Supporting approaches. Weight loss, side sleeping, avoiding alcohol before bed, treating nasal congestion, and myofunctional therapy (exercises for the tongue and throat muscles) can reduce symptoms, often alongside other treatment.
Surgery and other medical treatments. For some patients, a sleep physician may recommend surgical options or other therapies.
Children can have sleep-disordered breathing too, but the signs often look different than in adults. Instead of daytime sleepiness, children may show hyperactivity, trouble focusing in school, bedwetting, restless sleep, mouth breathing, or snoring. Dr. Allyson Drew is a Healthy Start Sleep Disordered Breathing Provider. Learn about pediatric sleep disordered breathing.
Dr. Allyson Drew, DDS is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) and The American Academy for Oral Systemic Health, and she has completed the Seattle Sleep Education Dental Sleep Medicine Course. As a Healthy Start Sleep Disordered Breathing Provider, she also helps children with airway and breathing concerns. Her focus on the link between oral health and overall health shapes how she screens every patient. Read Dr. Allyson Drew’s full bio.
Dr. Jason Drew, DDS has also completed the Seattle Sleep Education Dental Sleep Medicine Course. His experience across all phases of dentistry, including oral surgery, bone grafting, implants, and dentures, gives him a thorough understanding of the teeth, bite, and jaw that every oral appliance depends on. Read Dr. Jason Drew’s full bio.
Because sleep apnea is a medical condition, oral appliance therapy is often covered by medical insurance rather than dental insurance. Drew Dental is able to bill medical insurance. Coverage typically requires a sleep study and a physician’s diagnosis. Our team will verify your benefits and explain any out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins.
No. Only a physician can diagnose sleep apnea, based on a sleep study. Dentists with training in dental sleep medicine can screen for warning signs, help you get tested, and provide oral appliance therapy once you have a diagnosis.
Not necessarily. Many people snore without having sleep apnea. However, loud snoring combined with daytime sleepiness, gasping at night, or pauses in breathing is a strong reason to get evaluated.
Yes. Jaw size and position, tongue size, tonsils, and nasal airway all play a role. Sleep apnea affects people of every body type and age, including children.
For many adults with suspected obstructive sleep apnea, a home sleep test is an accurate and convenient option. Your physician may recommend an in-lab study if your case is more complex or if the home test results are unclear.
You are not out of options. Oral appliance therapy is a recognized alternative for many patients who cannot use CPAP. See how oral appliances work.
Many patients notice they wake up more rested, feel more alert during the day, and snore less once treatment is working. Their bed partners often sleep better too.
Poor sleep is not something you have to accept. If you or someone you love snores, wakes up exhausted, or has been told they stop breathing at night, Drs. Allyson and Jason Drew can help you take the first step.
Drew Dental is located at 783 Rio Del Mar Blvd, Aptos, CA 95003, a short drive from Capitola, Soquel, Seascape, and Santa Cruz. Call (831) 688-6060 to schedule your sleep consultation.
