Sleep Apnea

The main types of sleep apnea are:

• Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form, occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep.
• Central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
• Complex sleep apnea syndrome, also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, which occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

Diagnosis of sleep apnea is usually done by a physician specializing in sleep disorders or by an ENT. The CPAP machine is not used on all sleep apnea patients and often oral devices are made by dentists like Dr. Shpuntoff to help a patient place their jaw into a position that maximizes their airway when they sleep.

Children with Sleep Apnea that has not been identified can be misdiagnosed as ADHD because ADHD is more common in children and has similar behavior patterns. When Dr. Shpuntoff treats growing children, the objective is ideal skeletal position and muscle function to help maximize the airway.

Dr. Shpuntoff routinely diagnoses and treats dental and skeletal issues that can affect the airway. Orthodontic treatment can make changes in the bite and jaw position that will reduce or eliminate sleep apnea.

If you would like to request a free consultation with Dr. Shpuntoff, you can call him at (718) 229-4155, or press this link Request an Appointment.