Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can severely impact blood oxygen levels and lead to serious health concerns.
Dr. Ann Sielicki can provide effective, non-invasive sleep apnea treatment for patients.
Learn more about how Sonoran Dental Design in Scottsdale, AZ, patients overcome their sleep disorders.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is an involuntary interruption in your breathing that occurs as you sleep. Breathing can be interrupted hundreds of times in one night. With each interruption, your brain wakes you enough to signal you to breathe again, which can result in poor quality or fragmented sleep.
How We Treat Sleep Apnea
in Arizona Patients in Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Beyond
Anyone can suffer from sleep apnea. Dr. Sielicki explains how we examine your airway to determine the best treatment method for you. We proudly work with patients from Scottsdale, Phoenix, and nearby locales to improve their physical and mental health with effective sleep disorder treatment.
Have Trouble Sleeping?
Turn To Our Scottsdale, AZ, Dentists
If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, it is important to get a sleep study and diagnosis from a sleep doctor and begin treatment. Our practice in Scottsdale, AZ, treats sleep apnea patients in the immediate area and nearby Phoenix communities. With treatment, both your sleep and overall health may improve.
(480) 419-9595
"Dr. Selicki and her staff have always been very thorough." 5-Star Reviews From Our Scottsdale, AZ, Patients
Clay Wells
2022
I have been a patent at Sonoran Dental for over 20 years. Dr. Selicki and her staff have always been very thorough with my preventive care and treatment with the most up to date equipment and procedures.
View On Google
bob lafferty
2022
Another wonderful experience at Sonoran Dental Design. On time, as usual, and well taken care of. I would recommend to anyone looking for an exceptional dentist and dental practice.
View On GoogleWhat to Expect From Our Arizona Practice
During a regular dental exam here at our Scottsdale, AZ, practice, Dr. Sielicki can look at your throat and measure your soft palate and uvula. Patients with an elongated soft palate or enlarged uvula are more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea.
If Dr. Sielicki thinks you may be at risk for sleep apnea, she will ask you about your sleep habits and whether or not you snore. She may recommend a sleep study to confirm that you have obstructive sleep apnea.
Types of Sleep Apnea We Treat
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you likely have one of the two most common types: obstructive sleep apnea or central sleep apnea. Each form of the disorder causes the same main symptom — the inability to breathe properly — in different ways.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The most frequently diagnosed type of the disorder, obstructive sleep apnea leads the soft tissues in the back of your throat to relax, obstructing your upper airway. When oxygen cannot flow through your upper airway, you may begin snoring or startle awake.
Central Sleep Apnea
Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to trigger the muscles that control breathing. In essence, your mind tries to relay the command to breathe, but the signal doesn’t make it to the muscles of your airways or lungs.
Mixed Sleep Apnea
Mixed sleep apnea, also referred to as complex sleep apnea, is a combination of the other two types. The brain fails to communicate with the muscles that control breathing, and the body tries to breathe but cannot due to a blocked airway.
Whether you know you have high blood pressure due to obstructive sleep apnea, suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, or want to know the cause behind your loud snoring, you can turn to our practice for effective treatment.
"My wife and I have been coming to Dr. Sielicki for 20+ years."
More High Praise for Our Scottsdale, AZ, Practice
Mark Moebius
2022
The personal touch is alive and well at Sonoran! Everyone there is Very detail-oriented, and the facility is super high tech.
View On Google
Bob Briggs
2022
My wife and I have been coming to Dr. Sielicki for 20+ years and the level of professionalism and caring has been consistent and impressive.
View On Google
Oral Appliance Treatment
Alternative to CPAP Machines
Many patients with obstructive sleep apnea are advised to use a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. This machine uses air pressure to keep the airway open during sleep. A mask is worn over the nose or nose and mouth at night.
However, CPAP machines are bulky, uncomfortable, and difficult to transport. Many people have trouble tolerating CPAP machines and do not use them regularly as intended.
Dr. Sielicki offers a less intrusive alternative to continuous positive airway pressure: an oral appliance. The appliance is lightweight, comfortable, and much easier to tolerate than CPAP. You will wear the device while you sleep.
The purpose of the oral appliance is to set your lower jaw in a forward position to keep your airway open and prevent your tongue and other soft tissues from collapsing and blocking the airway.
What Are the Advantages of Oral Appliance Treatment?
Oral appliance therapy is much easier to tolerate than CPAP in a multitude of ways. Patients prefer this effective treatment that fits easily in their lifestyle for a host of reasons, including:
- Comfortable and easy to wear
- Lightweight and portable
- Works without electricity
- Quiet
- Easy to care for
We've seen it firsthand, so you can take it from us: treating your snoring or obstructive sleep apnea can make you feel like an entirely new person. Your quality of life can improve dramatically if you remain committed and use the oral appliance nightly. With better sleep, may patients report increased energy and mental sharpness throughout the day — feeling healthier in body and mind.
Will My Oral Appliance Be Fitted?
While you may not be alone in snoring problems or obstructive sleep apnea, your mouth and jaw shape are unique. There are dental devices you can buy over-the-counter, but these one-size-fits-all solutions are uncomfortable, and they also run the risk of making your symptoms worse.
Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth and send it off to the lab for the appliance to be made. After the appliance is fitted — meaning it’s configured to be both effective and comfortable — we’ll consult you on any follow-up care you’ll need to return for.
When an appliance is working well, you can look forward to more restful sleep. You may see improvements when it comes to daytime sleepiness. Treating sleep apnea can also combat the consequences of letting the go condition untreated, so you may also see a reduction in high blood pressure and an increase your blood oxygen level.
How Much Does Sleep Apnea Treatment Cost?
Fortunately, oral sleep appliances are among the more affordable sleep apnea treatment options available. Our Arizona practice prioritizes comfort and satisfaction for patients hailing from Scottsdale, Phoenix, and beyond, which includes making treatment accessible.
We accept most insurances and offer financing options, including CareCredit®, to help manage out-of-pocket expenses.
