Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment in Frisco, TX

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

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Understanding Sleep Disorders

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that goes beyond simply disrupting your sleep—it can significantly impact your overall health and daily life. Apnea means “no breathing,” and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when an obstruction blocks your airway, preventing proper airflow. This blockage can happen for one of four reasons: nasal obstruction, soft palate collapse, tongue obstruction, or a collapse of the airway in the throat.

If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, you may experience loud snoring, restless sleep, frequent nighttime awakenings with choking or gasping, and persistent daytime fatigue. Additional symptoms can include morning headaches, a dry mouth or sore throat from breathing through your mouth, irritability, having to get up to use the bathroom at night, experiencing periodic leg movements, and noticing forward head posture. In children, sleep apnea can manifest as pseudo-ADHD or learning problems. Chronic pain is another common issue, often linked to poor sleep quality.

These disruptions don’t just affect your energy levels; they can also lead to more severe health complications over time. Identifying these symptoms is the first step toward seeking treatment and improving your sleep quality. Here are some important facts about sleep apnea:

  • Studies show that up to 85% of adults with sleep apnea also face a higher risk of developing a range of serious health issues, including:
    • High blood pressure
    • Elevated cholesterol levels
    • Heart attacks or cardiovascular disease
    • Stroke
    • Type 2 diabetes
    • Alzheimer’s and dementia
    • Parkinson’s disease
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Anxiety and depression
    • Organ dysfunction
    • Sexual dysfunction
    • Obesity
    • GERD
    • Sudden death
  • 75-80% of people with ADHD/ADD experience sleep breathing disorders and tongue restrictions, which can further complicate their condition. 
  • Sleep apnea isn’t just a concern for adults—children are also at risk. When kids spend less than 25% of their sleep in REM stages, it can interfere with their physical growth and mental development. This can lead to: 
    • Bedwetting
    • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
    • Increased risk of allergies and recurrent ear infections
    • Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
    • Impaired growth and developmental delays
    • Decreased production of growth hormones
    • Cognitive impairment, with studies suggesting a potential 30% reduction in IQ by age 11
    • Persistent depression in teens with poor response to medication

Addressing sleep apnea as soon as possible can help mitigate these risks and improve both sleep quality and overall health for children and adults alike.

Benefits of The Vivos Method

Vivos therapy provides a holistic, non-invasive approach for those looking to enhance their airway function, sleep patterns, and overall health. Offering long-term benefits that go beyond conventional treatments, Vivos delivers a personalized solution tailored to each individual’s needs. Here are some of the key advantages of Vivos therapy:

Enhanced Airflow and Breathing: Vivos encourages natural expansion of the airway, helping to alleviate breathing restrictions and potentially reduce the severity of sleep apnea, leading to more comfortable and effortless breathing.

Improved Sleep Depth and Quality: By restoring proper airflow, Vivos can transform your sleep experience, supporting deeper, more uninterrupted rest that helps you feel more energized and refreshed each morning.

Support for Lasting Oral and Jaw Health: Vivos gently reshapes the alignment of the jaw, improving bite function and reducing discomfort from teeth grinding, jaw tension, or misalignment, ensuring long-term dental well-being.

Non-Invasive, Comfortable Treatment: Vivos provides an effective alternative to surgical procedures, delivering tangible results without the need for invasive interventions, offering a more natural and less intimidating approach to care.

Refinement of Facial Features: By improving jaw structure and supporting airway development, Vivos can subtly enhance facial harmony, contributing to a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing profile.

Boosted Cognitive and Emotional Well-being: Better sleep quality from improved airway function can lead to improved focus, clarity, and mood stability, reducing fatigue and enhancing your overall mental health.

Customized Care for Optimal Results: Vivos takes a personalized approach, tailoring the treatment to each individual’s unique anatomical structure, ensuring the therapy addresses their specific needs for maximum effectiveness.

Treatment Journey – What to Expect

Dr. Korous at Millennium Smiles offers a groundbreaking, non-invasive approach to treating dentofacial issues and mild to severe sleep apnea using the FDA-cleared Vivos Method. This method gently repositions your jaw and tongue to keep your airway open, reducing the likelihood of airway obstruction that causes sleep apnea symptoms. Unlike traditional treatments requiring lifelong nightly use, the Vivos Method typically involves about 12 months of nighttime intervention, offering lasting results without the need for CPAP therapy in most cases. It’s an ideal solution for those who find CPAP machines uncomfortable or impractical.

Comprehensive Evaluation and Personalized Treatment

  • Thorough Assessment: Dr. Korous starts with a complete evaluation, including a sleep study referral and CBCT imaging to analyze your airway, jaw, and facial structure. A Mallampati score is also taken to assess airway obstruction.
  • Tailored Plan: Based on your unique data, Dr. Korous will design a customized, evidence-based treatment plan to address your specific needs.

Your Treatment Path

  • Custom Appliance: Dr. Korous creates a personalized appliance using digital scans designed to gently reposition your jaw and tongue to keep your airway open during sleep.
  • Myofunctional Therapy: A series of exercises help retrain the muscles of your tongue, lips, and jaw, improving their function and supporting better airflow. For more details on myofunctional therapy and how it can support your treatment, please refer to the dedicated section on this approach.
  • Solea Laser Therapy: This non-invasive procedure uses advanced technology to lift the soft palate and reduce the uvula, improving airflow in just 1-3 sessions—no surgery or injections required. For more details on Solea Laser and how it can support your treatment, please refer to the dedicated section on this modality.
  • MLS Laser Therapy: This advanced, non-invasive technology is used alongside Vivos appliances to reduce inflammation, relax muscles, and improve circulation in the jaw and throat. By enhancing tissue recovery and supporting better muscle function, MLS Laser therapy helps optimize sleep apnea treatment outcomes.

    For more details on MLS Laser and how it can support your treatment, please refer to the dedicated section on this modality.

  • Ongoing Support & Monitoring: Dr. Korous will continue to monitor your progress, adjusting your appliance as needed to ensure the best results and improved sleep quality.

Vivos Care Guide: Tips for Success and Optimal Results

For optimal results with Vivos therapy, consistency is key. Follow Dr. Korous’s recommendations for wearing the device and maintaining proper oral hygiene. Clean both your teeth and the device regularly to prevent plaque buildup and promote overall oral health. After each use, ensure the device is thoroughly cleaned and stored in a dry, safe place. Regular follow-up appointments are important to monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed. Minor discomfort is normal early on, but if pain persists, be sure to contact us at Millennium Smiles. It’s also essential to follow any recommended myofunctional therapy exercises to complement the device’s effects and support optimal jaw and airway function. If any dental issues arise, address them promptly to keep your therapy on track.

Reclaim Your Nights with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment in Frisco, TX – Schedule Your Appointment Today!

At Millennium Smiles, Dr. Korous is dedicated to helping both adults and children overcome the root causes of sleep issues. With personalized treatment plans, we focus on restoring healthy sleep patterns and improving overall well-being for individuals and families alike.

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