“There are 3 things that set Dr. McAllister and Sleep Well Carolina apart from others who say they provide dental sleep medicine. Those 3 important things are (1) Training and Education (2) Experience and (3) Technology.
Dr. McAllister is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine which means he has had extensive, specialized training in treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea with dental appliances. Dr. McAllister has helped a great many patients get a healthy, good night’s sleep with an oral appliance. Patients who cannot tolerate a CPAP machine have come to Dr. McAllister for help getting a custom-made mouthguard/oral appliance that is made for each individual’s needs. Dr. McAllister uses technology that measures each patient’s airway before making a custom oral appliance. A home sleep test is later given to each patient to measure their success with an oral appliance and to compare their quality of sleep before and after having an oral appliance.”
Do you often wake up in the middle of the night because of snoring, or do you notice that you are extremely sleepy during the day? If so, you might be a victim of sleep apnea, and Dr. John McAllister has a treatment solution that can help you.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition in which the muscles in your mouth and airway, like the tongue and throat muscles, collapse and block the airflow to the lungs while you sleep. This condition not only affects your sleeping patterns, but it also harms your entire body by decreasing the levels of oxygen in your body.
Comprehensive Diagnostic Systems (Pharyngometry)
This is how Dr. McAllister measures his patients airways for a custom – fit Oral Appliance. It is called an Acoustic Pharyngometer and it uses sound waves to measure his paitients airways. It is a non-invasive, painless test that requires his patients to breathe into a tube so their airway can be measured and the proper position of the oral appliance can be determined.”
There are certain factors that can increase your risk for OSA, including:
- Excess weight. Deposits of fat around the upper airway can obstruct breathing. Not everyone who is overweight has OSA, however.
- Neck circumference. Those with thicker necks have narrower airways. Women with a neck diameter of greater than 15 inches and men with a neck diameter of more than 17 inches are at greater risk for OSA.
- A narrowed airway. Some people inherit a naturally narrow throat. Others have enlarged tonsils or adenoids, which can block your airway.
- Being male. Men are twice as likely to have sleep apnea.
- Age. Sleep apnea occurs more in adults over 60.
- Family history. Your risk may be increased if you have family members with sleep apnea.
- Race. Of those under 35, African Americans are more likely to have OSA.
- Use of alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers. These relax the muscles in your throat.
- Smoking. Smokers are three times more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea than those who have never smoked. Smoking can increase the amount of inflammation and fluid retention.
- Nasal Congestion. If you have a hard time breathing through your nose, you’re more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea.
In order to help you, we offer an oral appliance that is similar to a mouth guard. This mouth guard-like device is worn at night and keeps your airway open while you sleep. This is a comfortable, convenient oral appliance that you can take with you anywhere. When you wear it, your body will receive the proper amount of oxygen and you will no longer wake up throughout the night or feel extremely tired in the morning.
Our team at McAllister Dentistry customizes this oral device just for you. It will comfortably fit your mouth, allowing you to sleep peacefully and breathe continuously through the night. If you are interested an oral appliance to treat sleep apnea in Hickory, North Carolina, we invite you to come to our office and meet with your dentist. Call us now to set up your appointment!
