Sleep Apnea Solutions in Reading, PA
Ready to get started?
Contact UsReclaim Your Sleep Once Again
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that causes your body to stop breathing repeatedly through the night. As a result, your body wakes up intermittently so you can breathe. These constant interruptions affect the quality of your sleep, while the lack of oxygen harms your physical and mental health.
The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This occurs when the airway is blocked due to the muscles in the throat relaxing. Other types of sleep apnea include central sleep apnea (CSA), when the brain is not signaling the body to breathe, and complex or mixed sleep apnea (MSA), which can be a combination of both central and obstructive sleep apnea.
Dr. Stephen Sulzbach, the sleep expert at The Sleep Apnea and Craniofacial Pain Center, will create a personalized treatment plan based on your unique situation, including your medical and family history and personal preference. At our Reading, PA facility, we work with you to build the best possible plan for you.
What Sleep Apnea Treatment Options Are Available?
Treating your sleep apnea can lead to better quality sleep and protect you from serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, mood disorders, and more. The most prescribed solution for patients suffering from moderate to severe sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This device keeps your airway open while you sleep by delivering pressurized air through a mask.
While it’s a reliable method of treatment, many patients complain that it’s noisy, uncomfortable, and inconvenient. This often causes patients to neglect the treatment of their sleep apnea. At The Sleep Apnea and Craniofacial Pain Center, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. We want you to have access to treatment that suits your needs and lifestyle, which is why Dr. Sulzbach offers oral appliance therapy as a viable treatment option.
In certain cases where both CPAP and oral appliance therapy aren't ideal solutions, Inspire may be an option through local ENTs.
Explore CPAP Alternatives
When you’re ready to get a good night’s sleep once again, sleep apnea treatment with Dr. Stephen Sulzbach may be just the thing you need to reclaim your rest. To learn more, contact our Reading, PA office to schedule your free consultation at the Sleep Apnea and Craniofacial Pain Center today.
The Sleep Apnea and Craniofacial Pain Center of Pennsylvania Reviews
Dr. Sulzbach helped me with my sleep apnea and snoring. My wife is so much happier now!
I have had the luck and the pleasure of seeing Dr. Salzbach on several occasions. An extremely knowledgeable and professional, who truly does care about his patients. He takes the time to explain options, procedures to you in a way that you've understand and is very up front. I would highly recommend anytime to anyone.
Dr. Sulzbach and Corrine Lambert were amazing in taking care of my sleep apnea needs. I can’t wait to see how much improvement there is with the new device.
I have sleep apnea and felt awful for years. Just constantly tired. I can't wear the cpap. I tried but I just hate the thing. Dr Steve made a dental appliance and I am sleeping through the night without even snoring for the first time in probably 20 years. He's really laid back but straight to the point.
I have been going to Dr. Steve for years. He is a competent and wonderful dentist. It is a shame what Harrisburg tried to do to him. I guess when they need a scape goat to further their agenda they don't care who they try to hurt in the process. Rest assured he is by far the best dentist I have ever gone to and goes beyond the standard of care!
6
Total Reviews
5
Average Rating
Get In Touch
What Is Oral Appliance Therapy?
With obstructive sleep apnea, your airway is blocked due to your throat muscles. Oral appliances are custom-made devices designed to keep your throat open while you sleep. They work by bringing your jaw forward, preventing your throat from becoming obstructed during rest which can relieve snoring. They’re a quiet and comfortable solution to treating obstructive sleep apnea.
Oral appliances look similar to mouthguards but are meant to be worn during sleep. Because they’re small and portable, patients find them much more convenient compared to CPAP machines. To create your oral appliance, we’ll take detailed impressions of your teeth to ensure a custom fit for enhanced comfort.
Even if you don’t suffer from sleep apnea, oral appliances are useful to relieve snoring. While snoring in and of itself is not dangerous, many patients (and their bedmates) often seek relief from snoring.
What Makes Oral Appliance Therapy Different?
Oral appliances are an ideal solution for many patients. It stands out against other sleep apnea treatments because it is:
- Considered to be equal to CPAP as a first-line treatment in both mild to moderate OSA cases
- A solution for all patients who can’t tolerate or don’t respond to CPAP treatment
- Proven so successful that growing evidence suggests it may be as effective at treating severe cases of OSA for many patients
- As effective as CPAP in reducing the risks of hypertension, cardiac complications, and other serious health problems caused by OSA
What Are Other Sleep Apnea Treatment Alternatives?
If you find that CPAP and oral appliance therapy aren’t great treatment options for your needs, we also provide Inspire. Inspire sleep apnea treatment works inside of your body, targeting the root cause of your sleep disorder. It’s a small device that’s placed during a simple, one-day outpatient procedure. With Inspire, all you have to do is click the button to turn it on and while you sleep, it opens your airway for a peaceful night of breathing regularly.
Learn More About Sleep Apnea and TMJ Center
About UsHow Can Sleep Apnea Be Managed with Lifestyle Changes?
In some cases, Dr. Sulzbach may recommend lifestyle changes to help alleviate your snoring and sleep apnea. This is especially true if you experience central sleep apnea or complex sleep apnea. The mouth doesn’t exist as a separate entity from the rest of your body, so making small changes can have a positive impact on your condition.
Dr. Sulzbach may recommend the following lifestyle adjustments:
- Weight loss
- Increased exercise
- Alcohol avoidance
- Sleep position changes
For some patients, lifestyle changes are enough to improve breathing and airflow, but others may need a combination of treatments. That’s why, at our Reading, PA sleep center, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all treatment. We offer a personalized treatment plan for your unique situation.
What Can I Expect After Sleep Apnea Treatment?
What you can expect after sleep apnea treatment varies based on the type of treatment you receive.
- Oral appliance therapy: When you first start wearing your oral appliance, you may notice some discomfort in your muscles and teeth, as well as some extra saliva flow. This is normal and will dissipate as your mouth adjusts to the appliance. Some patients see results almost immediately, while it may take others a little bit to find the optimal setting for their oral appliance.
- CPAP: When you first start using your CPAP machine, you may feel like your locked in one place. This will ease as you get used to your new machine. Additionally, it may feel a little uncomfortable or awkward at first, but this should fade as well. Those who use CPAP machines typically start notice results between about one day and a week or so.
- Inspire: You may experience some pain and swelling after getting your surgery; however, over-the-counter medications will often help this. You can get back to your normal routine, minus strenuous activity, after a few days. About 30 days after your surgery, we'll have you in for a follow-up to turn the device on and help you learn how to test the settings to find the correct one for you.
Sleep Apnea Solutions FAQs
Are there side effects of oral appliance therapy?
Oral appliances are noninvasive and generally safe. Using an oral appliance may include minor side effects such as:
- Excessive salivation
- Dry mouth
- Tooth and jaw discomfort
- Temporary bite changes
Is oral appliance therapy covered by insurance?
Sleep apnea is a medical condition, so it may be covered by either your dental or medical insurance or even both! It’s important to call both your dental and medical insurance providers beforehand to learn more about your coverage plan. We also offer financing options to our patients to help make their treatment more affordable, including Sunbit and CareCredit.
Is the Inspire sleep device safe?
Rest assured that you’ll have an in-depth consultation with Dr. Sulzbach before he recommends Inspire. We’ll review your medical history and work in tandem with your medical provider to ensure the procedure and device are both safe and effective for you.
Can sleep apnea go away without treatment?
Sleep apnea is a chronic disorder that usually doesn’t go away on its own, especially for adults whose anatomy is fixed in place. Sleep apnea can actually get worse with time. Untreated sleep apnea can have severe physical and mental health consequences, so we highly recommend you don’t wait for it to progress before seeking a diagnosis and treatment.
