Sleep Apnea Therapy – Kansas City, MO

Sleep Apnea Basics

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects millions of U.S. adults. There are two forms of sleep apnea: central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain is unable to trigger the body to inhale and exhale properly, and this form requires advanced treatment.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is much more common. It occurs when the airway is obstructed at night. This leads to repeated pauses in breathing, called apneas. Patients with OSA can experience dozens or hundreds of apneas each night. This disrupts the sleep cycle, lowers blood oxygen levels, and subjects the body to a high level of stress.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

When tissues in the throat overrelax during sleep, it results in apneas. There can be a number of different reasons why the throat tissues might hinder the free flow of air. For example, obese patients with a large neck circumference are at a high risk. Older individuals who have lost muscle tone in their throat may also be prone to experience sleep apnea. Other possible causes include anatomical defects (such as enlarged tonsils or a deviated septum), nasal congestion, and consuming alcohol close to bedtime.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Loud, chronic snoring
• Waking up gasping for breath or wheezing
• Excessive daytime exhaustion
• Difficulty concentrating or memory loss
• Changing in mood or behavior
• Waking up with a headache or sore throat
• Frequently waking up throughout the night
• Slowed reaction times

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please mention them during your next preventive appointment with our team. We’ll screen you for sleep apnea and may recommend that you undergo a sleep test.

Sleep Apnea Diagnosis

While the above-listed symptoms are certainly indicative of OSA, the only way to know for sure that you have the disorder is to undergo a sleep study. These tests can be completed in a sleep clinic or at home. In-office sleep studies are more sensitive and may more accurately capture your instances of apnea. However, many patients struggle to get to sleep and stay asleep during these tests. At-home study systems are not as sensitive, but they may more accurately represent your condition. After an expert analyzes the results of your sleep test, you will know whether you have OSA and how severe the disorder is.

Treatment Options

The most common treatment option for OSA is continuous positive airway pressure therapy, known as CPAP. However, many patients find themselves to be intolerant to a CPAP machine and do not use this therapy consistently because they’re unable to adjust to the sounds and sensations. For these patients and those who travel frequently and need a more portable option, a custom oral appliance from Byars Dental may offer a better solution.

Oral Appliance Therapy

An oral appliance shifts the jaw forward, opening the throat and preventing airway blockage during sleep. Dentists are generally the best people to provide oral appliance therapy because they have an in-depth understanding of oral anatomy. Each appliance is custom designed to work with a patient’s unique oral structures.

Understanding the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment

While it’s important to have sleep apnea treated as soon as possible, you should always take the time to consider the financial aspect of your care before making any commitments. The cost of sleep apnea treatment is not set in stone; it can vary from patient to patient depending on a number of factors. Rest assured that you can count on our team to give you a reliable estimate before you need to make any major decisions.

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Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment?

Sleep apnea is considered to be a medical condition, not a dental issue. Thus, even if you visit a dentist for sleep apnea treatment, it will most likely be covered by your medical insurance instead of your dental insurance. If you have any questions about your benefits and how you can use them to make the cost of your care more manageable, be sure to reach out to your insurance provider.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment

Before sleep apnea treatment can begin, you will need to have the disorder diagnosed via a sleep study. You can opt to have a sleep study performed at home or in a sleep clinic; the option you choose can influence the amount you need to pay.

Once your sleep apnea has been diagnosed, you can start exploring your options for treating it. Naturally, different forms of treatment come with different price tags. In general, a customized oral appliance will cost less than a CPAP machine.

Of course, your insurance coverage will go a long way toward determining how much you will need to pay out of pocket for your sleep apnea treatment. No two insurance plans are exactly alike, so it’s crucial to make sure that you understand your coverage. Rest assured that our team is here to file any necessary claims and work with you to ensure you get the most out of your benefits.

Treat Your Sleep Apnea Now to Improve Your Health

It may be tempting to simply ignore your sleep apnea in order to save money on treatment. However, doing so can have serious consequences. People with untreated sleep apnea tend to have a significantly higher risk of suffering from heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems that can be costly to treat. They can also be more prone to getting into car accidents due to excessive sleepiness, which can result in needing to pay thousands of dollars for vehicle repairs.

In short, ignoring sleep apnea can ultimately have a devastating impact on your wallet as well as your quality of life. It’s better to take steps to deal with the disorder as soon as possible before it can result in more serious problems.

Making Sleep Apnea Treatment More Affordable

At our dental practice, we care about making our services as affordable as possible for our patients. Not only do we accept a variety of insurance plans, but we also give our patients the option to apply for flexible financing via CareCredit. Thanks to CareCredit, you can pay for your treatment in a series of budget-friendly monthly installments with little to no interest to worry about. Don’t hesitate to ask us about the payment options that we have to offer.

Sleep Apnea FAQs