How Jaw Position May Affect Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can leave you tired during the day and affect your long-term health. In Stillwater, MN, Dr. Sarah Carlson and our team evaluate how your airway, jaw position, and muscles may contribute to disrupted breathing. That helps us recommend dental treatment while keeping jaw comfort in mind.
Life-Changing Sleep Solutions
For Better Health
For patients seeking sleep apnea treatment in Stillwater, MN, we offer custom oral appliances that may provide a comfortable option for nighttime breathing. We fit and adjust each appliance to your needs, with the goal of helping you sleep more comfortably and wake up feeling rested.
- Custom oral appliances, including options such as the ProSomnus EVO, designed to support the airway during sleep.
- Laser-based snoring treatment when appropriate.
- Airway screening and computerized jaw tracking to help guide treatment planning.
- Quiet, travel-friendly appliance options that require no electricity or hoses.
Or Call (651) 439-8840
Types Of
Sleep-Related Treatments
If you’re exploring sleep apnea treatment in Stillwater, MN, the first step is confirming what’s disrupting your breathing at night. If you haven’t had a sleep study, our team can help you arrange an at-home test through SleepTest.com and review your insurance options.
A board-certified sleep physician reviews the test results and makes the diagnosis. If an oral appliance is appropriate, we can then design and adjust one to fit your jaw comfortably and support better breathing during sleep.
Neuromuscular Sleep Appliances
For patients with sleep apnea in Stillwater, MN, we offer custom oral appliances such as the ProSomnus EVO. The appliance gently positions the lower jaw to help keep the airway open during sleep. We adjust its fit with both breathing and jaw comfort in mind.
Snore Therapy With Solea Sleep
Loud snoring can disrupt your sleep and your partner’s. In Stillwater, MN, we offer laser snoring treatment that targets the soft tissues involved in snoring. Because snoring can also be a sign of sleep apnea, we’ll discuss whether a sleep study is needed before recommending treatment.
Tongue-Ties And Breathing
Sometimes, restricted oral tissues can affect your airway and healthy breathing. We provide evaluations and treatments, including frenectomies, to release tongue-ties and support proper breathing function in infants, children, and adults after adequate preparation with myofunctional therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sleep Apnea Treatment
FAQs
Sleep Apnea Treatment FAQs
If you’re considering sleep apnea treatment in Stillwater, MN, you likely have questions about testing, oral appliances, and what to expect. We’ll explain your options so you can make an informed decision. Here are answers to a few questions we hear often.
Yes. Loud or chronic snoring can sometimes indicate airway obstruction during sleep. A consultation can help determine whether your symptoms suggest snoring alone or sleep-disordered breathing such as sleep apnea.
Yes. Ongoing sleep disruption may contribute to daytime fatigue, concentration difficulties, mood changes, cardiovascular concerns, and reduced quality of life. Improving nighttime breathing can support better overall wellness.
What To Expect On Your Path To Better Sleep
Sleep apnea can affect how rested you feel and your long-term health. If you’re seeking sleep apnea treatment in Stillwater, MN, we’ll help you understand the steps from screening to diagnosis and, when appropriate, a custom oral appliance.
Step 1: Consultation and Airway Screening
During your consultation, Dr. Carlson and our team will ask about your sleep concerns, review your symptoms, and screen your airway. This helps us determine whether to discuss a sleep study as the next step.
Step 2: An At-Home Sleep Test
If you haven’t completed a sleep study, we can help you explore an at-home test through SleepTest.com. A medical provider will determine whether home testing is appropriate for you. SleepTest.com can check your insurance benefits before testing so you have a clearer picture of potential costs.
Step 3: Review of Your Sleep Study Results
A board-certified sleep physician reviews your test results and determines whether you have obstructive sleep apnea. If an oral appliance is appropriate, the physician may recommend it as part of your treatment plan. This diagnosis also provides the documentation needed to check your insurance benefits.
Step 4: A Custom Oral Appliance Fitted in Stillwater, MN
For patients receiving sleep apnea treatment at our Stillwater, MN, practice, Dr. Carlson evaluates your bite, jaw movement, and muscle activity before fitting an oral appliance. The K7 Evaluation System can provide additional information to help guide appliance positioning and adjustments. We’ll consider both airway support and jaw comfort when selecting and fitting a device, such as the ProSomnus EVO.
After your appliance is fitted, we’ll follow up to check your comfort and make adjustments as needed.
Screen Yourself Easily!
FAIREST 6+4 Red Flags For Sleep-Disordered Breathing
Sleep apnea does not always come with obvious symptoms. Snoring is one possible sign, but changes in your mouth, jaw, and airway may also give us reasons to look more closely.
During a sleep apnea screening at our Stillwater, MN, practice, we use a checklist called FAIREST to look for these signs. The screening helps us decide whether to recommend a sleep study. It cannot diagnose sleep apnea on its own.
The screening tool is available below as individual pages or as a complete PDF.
FAIREST 6+4 screening tool © Fairest.org and The Breathe Institute. Shared for patient education.
How To Screen Yourself At Home
If you’re considering sleep apnea treatment in Stillwater, MN, you may wonder whether the way you breathe or the shape of your mouth could be affecting your sleep. The FAIREST screening tool gives you a way to notice signs worth discussing with Dr. Carlson, including:
- Trouble breathing through your nose with your lips closed for three minutes
- Chin muscles that strain or dimple when you close your lips
- Teeth that appear worn, flattened, or chipped
- Tonsils that seem to crowd the back of your throat
- Difficulty lifting your tongue to the roof of your mouth
- A narrow or high roof of the mouth, sometimes with crowded teeth
The adult version also looks at features of the tongue and soft palate. These include indentations along the sides of the tongue and how much of the throat is visible when you open your mouth. Some findings are difficult to assess yourself, so it’s fine to leave those for your visit.
Make a note of anything you notice or are unsure about, and bring your questions to your consultation. These signs can have different causes. The checklist cannot tell you whether you have sleep apnea; a medical evaluation and sleep test, when appropriate, are needed for a diagnosis.
To discuss your results with Dr. Carlson, call (651) 439-8840 to request an appointment.
Advanced Airway Training and Education
When you visit us for sleep apnea treatment in Stillwater, MN, Dr. Carlson looks beyond your sleep study results. She also considers how your tongue, palate, nasal breathing, and jaw position may affect your comfort and treatment options. Her training with The Breathe Institute informs this approach.
If you’d like to explore these topics before your visit, The Breathe Institute offers patient information about airway health, sleep testing, and related care. Some treatments discussed there are provided by physicians or surgeons. Dr. Carlson can help you understand what applies to your situation and coordinate with your physician when needed.
Or Call (651) 439-8840
Why Patients Trust Us For Sleep Wellness Care
We combine advanced technology with a deep understanding of the connection between your mouth and your entire body to deliver results that truly improve your life. Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive care in a welcoming environment where your comfort and health are always our top priorities.
Or Call (651) 439-8840
Explore More Of
Our Services
As part of our approach to sleep-related dental care in Stillwater, MN, we provide treatments that support your oral health long after your sleep improves, helping maintain function and overall wellness.
TMJ & Bite Therapy
Find relief from chronic jaw discomfort, headaches, and bite imbalance with personalized TMJ therapy. Our Stillwater dental team uses advanced diagnostics to support healthier jaw function and long-term comfort.
Restorative Dentistry
Repair damaged teeth and restore bite strength with restorative dentistry focused on lasting comfort and function. From crowns to bridges, we help rebuild healthy smiles that support your overall wellness.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Enhance your smile with cosmetic dentistry designed to improve symmetry, brightness, and confidence. Treatments like veneers, whitening, and bonding help create beautiful, natural-looking results.
Family Dentistry
Protect lifelong oral health with family dentistry centered on preventive care and personalized treatment. We provide cleanings, exams, and ongoing support for healthy smiles at every age.
Helpful Tips & Info
Patient Education Articles
We are committed to helping you better understand your sleep health. As part of our approach to sleep-related dental care in Stillwater, MN, we provide guidance on airway health and improving the quality of your rest. Explore our learning center for helpful insights.
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