817-354-0606

Sleep Medicine

Are you or a loved one suffering from a sleep-related breathing disorder such as sleep apnea? Would you like to regain the ability to have a restful, uninterrupted night’s sleep? At the office of Jeff Corbet, DDS, we take great pride in helping our patients to restore their health and well-being. We offer a range of treatments for sleep-related breathing disorders.

Often misconstrued as snoring, sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing disorders are far more serious. Individuals with sleep apnea repeatedly stop breathing during their sleep. These pauses — lasting anywhere from a few seconds up to a few minutes — inhibit the body from receiving enough oxygen. Throughout a single sleep, these disruptions can occur hundreds of times.

What are sleep-related breathing disorders?

What causes sleep apnea & other sleep-related breathing disorders?

Sleep-related breathing disorders such as sleep apnea are normally induced by a blocked airway caused by oversized tonsils, the tongue, a receding jaw, soft tissues in the mouth, or the throat closing down and blocking airflow. Loud snoring and literal gasps for air are usually the first signs of sleep apnea.

Are You At Risk?

  • Do you snore loudly (louder than a person talking or loud enough to be heard through closed doors)?
  • Are you male?
  • Are you overweight or obese?
  • Is your neck circumference greater than 16 inches?
  • Are you over 50 years old?
  • Has your spouse or bed partner ever observed you stop or pause breathing in your sleep?
  • Do you often feel tired, fatigued or sleepy during the day?
  • Do you have or are you being treated for high blood pressure?

Treatment Options

Custom Oral Appliances

For many patients, a custom oral appliance provides a comfortable, easy-to-use alternative to CPAP. It works by holding the lower jaw in an open, precise, forward position. This prevents the soft tissues in the neck and throat from collapsing and causing lapses in breathing.

Benefits To Oral Appliances

No two appliances are the same — your device is custom-made to fit your mouth specifically. Custom oral appliances must meet strict standards set by the FDA. We use state-of-the-art imaging technology to ensure your jaw is held in the correct position. For many patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea, an oral appliance offers a less restrictive, lightweight alternative to CPAP.

Oral appliances are optimal for use at home or while traveling. Also, it is noiseless and barely noticeable for either bed partner. Medicare and medical insurance will typically cover the cost of a sleep appliance.

CPAP

Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) is the traditional treatment for sleep apnea. This system consists of a machine that pumps air continuously into a nasal mask strapped to the patient’s head during sleep. CPAP is a highly effective way of managing sleep apnea, but it can be uncomfortable and difficult to tolerate for some patients.

If you are having trouble wearing your CPAP every night, there are other options for treatment. To receive more information, please contact us today at 817-354-0606. 

Am I a good candidate for an oral appliance?

Oral appliance therapy is good for individuals…

…with primary snoring.
…with mild to moderate apnea or people with severe apnea who are unable to tolerate or refuse to try CPAP
…who cannot tolerate the high pressure of CPAP
…with healthy, disease-free teeth
…who want to travel without having to bring a CPAP machine

Surgery

There are a few surgical options designed to reduce or remove excess tissue in the airway. Our doctor will review and discuss these options with you if indicated.

Technology

Eccovision Acoustic Diagnostic Imaging System

Our practice uses the Eccovision Acoustic Pharyngometer / Rhinometer system to test the nasal and oral airways. This device uses soundwaves to measure how big the airway is. The Pharyngometer measures the oral airway, and the Rhinometer measures the nasal airway.

These systems are FDA cleared and are a highly effective tool to identify the severity and site and airway collapse related to sleep-related breathing and snoring problems.

ARES Apnea Risk Evaluation System

An overnight sleep test is required to diagnose an individual with sleep-related breathing disorders. In the past, this meant visiting a sleep lab or center for an overnight study in their facility. For most patients, this was inconvenient and costly.

To increase patient comfort our practice uses the ARES Apnea Risk Evaluation System. This take-home system is as comfortable to wear as a baseball cap and records detailed information about sleep-related breathing events and sleep quality. This data is used to provide a diagnosis.

Am I a good candidate for an oral appliance?

Oral appliance therapy is good for individuals…

…with primary snoring.
…with mild to moderate apnea or people with severe apnea who are unable to tolerate or refuse to try CPAP
…who cannot tolerate the high pressure of CPAP
…with healthy, disease-free teeth
…who want to travel without having to bring a CPAP machine

About Jeff Corbet, DDS

For over 30 years, families have trusted Dr. Jeff Corbet and his caring, professional staff for their dental health needs. We are proud to offer treatments for sleep-related breathing disorders to individuals in Bedford, TX, and the Mid-Cities.

Ready to restore your quality of sleep and improve your health? To schedule a consultation, please give us a call 817-354-0606 

Jeff Corbet, DDS
2205 Harwood Rd
Bedford, TX 76021


Phone: 817-354-0606

Hours
Monday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday - Thursday 8:10 AM - 5:00 PM