moorestownsmilecenter@gmail.comWe're here to provide you with the best dental care

(856) 638-5266Have any questions?

What is
Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly pauses and restarts during the night. Common signs include loud snoring, restless sleep, and feeling tired even after a full night’s rest. If these symptoms sound familiar, you may be experiencing sleep apnea and should seek professional evaluation.

In the U.S. alone, over 20 million Americans are estimated to have sleep apnea, though many remain undiagnosed.

These figures underline how common sleep apnea is—and why awareness and early detection matter deeply.

Types of
Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Occurs when throat muscles relax and block airflow. It is the most common form.
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
Happens when the brain fails to send proper signals to the breathing muscles. No physical blockage; rather, it is a communication issue between the brain and the lungs.
Complex (or Treatment-Emergent) Sleep Apnea
A combination of OSA and CSA sometimes emerges when someone being treated for OSA develops central apneas as well.

Causes of Sleep Apnea

https://moorestownsmilecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/cases-sleep-apnea-1.jpg

Anatomical or structural factors
• Large tonsils or adenoids
• Narrow airway, or enlarged tongue
• Overweight or obesity that adds soft tissue around the throat
Neurological or signal-control issues
• Brain doesn’t send signals properly (as in CSA)
• Aging, changes in brain chemistry, or disease affecting respiratory control centers
Lifestyle and other medical risk factors
• Being male; older age
• Smoking, alcohol, and sedatives, which relax the airway muscles
• Nasal congestion, family history, comorbid conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Loud, chronic snoring
Pauses in breathing during sleep (reported by another person)
Gasping, choking, or snorting when waking briefly
Waking up with dry mouth, a sore throat, or morning headaches
Excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, or mood change

Sleep Apnea Treatments at Moorestown Smile Center

At Moorestown Smile Center, we provide custom-made oral appliances as an effective alternative to CPAP therapy for patients with sleep apnea. These dentist-designed devices gently reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep, making them a comfortable and reliable option for individuals who struggle to tolerate CPAP machines. Proven to work well for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, our oral appliances help patients breathe easier, sleep more deeply, and wake up refreshed.

At Moorestown Smile Center, our goal is simple: to help you breathe easier, sleep deeper, and wake up refreshed—with a confident smile.