Airway, Sleep and Bite Analysis

Your airway plays a vital role in your overall health, and at The Mugford Center, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and managing issues related to breathing and sleep. Our airway treatments aim to support better breathing, improved sleep quality, and long-term wellness.

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Comprehensive Care Beyond Your Teeth

Visiting a periodontist isn’t just about treating your gums and teeth—it’s about supporting your overall health and well-being. At The Mugford Center, our expert team goes beyond traditional dental care to address conditions that impact your quality of life, such as sleep disorders, TMJ issues, and teeth grinding. While these concerns involve your teeth, they can also have far-reaching effects on your sleep, bite alignment, and long-term health.

Proper sleep, balanced bite function, and preventative care are essential to maintaining not just a healthy smile, but a healthier you. These issues often become apparent during routine visits or through referrals from general dentists. Whatever the case, our advanced technology and customized solutions allow us to diagnose and treat these concerns effectively.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of TMJ, grinding, or sleep-related issues, schedule a consultation today and let’s work together to improve your overall well-being!

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Everyone has the occasional bad night of sleep. However, for millions of Americans, every night is a bad night of sleep. No matter what you do, you wake up morning after morning feeling completely exhausted, like you never went to sleep in the first place. This is a condition known as sleep apnea. With diagnosis and proper treatment, your sleep quality, and quality of life can be restored.

Sleep apnea is a condition that affects how you breathe when sleeping.

Breathing interrupted
No breath for 10 seconds or more
Exhaustion affects physical health
Wake up without knowledge
Can happen hundreds of times a night
Disrupts sleep cycles

The Serious Impact of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is more than just loud snoring or occasional sleep disturbances—it’s a serious condition that deprives your body of the deep, restorative sleep it needs to function properly. When left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to chronic fatigue, brain fog, and reduced productivity, making even simple daily tasks feel overwhelming.

Beyond daytime drowsiness, the long-term health risks of untreated sleep apnea can be severe, including:

Weight Gain – Disrupted sleep affects hormone regulation, increasing hunger and cravings while slowing metabolism, making weight management more difficult.

High Blood Pressure – Frequent oxygen deprivation during sleep puts extra strain on your cardiovascular system, leading to elevated blood pressure and an increased risk of heart complications.

Heart Disease – Sleep apnea has been linked to serious heart conditions, including irregular heartbeats, heart attacks, and stroke, due to ongoing oxygen deprivation and stress on the heart.

Diabetes – Poor sleep quality affects insulin sensitivity, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes or worsening existing diabetic conditions.

Sleep apnea doesn’t just affect your rest—it impacts your entire body and overall well-being. If you’re experiencing symptoms like loud snoring, daytime fatigue, or frequent nighttime awakenings, it’s important to seek professional help.

Take control of your health—schedule a consultation today to explore your treatment options!

Sleep Apnea Types

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea, commonly abbreviated as OSA, is the most common type of sleep apnea. This particular sleep apnea is caused by a partial or full blockage of your airway. When your airway is blocked by these tissues, it can interfere with your breathing.

OSA can be caused by

Obesity
Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
Misalignment of your jaw
Lifestyle habits such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea, or CSA, is a type of sleep apnea that is much less common than OSA. It occurs when your brain temporarily fails to signal to the muscles that control your breathing that you need to breathe. Because your brain temporarily does not signal your breathing muscles, your breathing pauses. This particular type of sleep apnea is often the result of certain types of medical issues or issues that impact your brainstem.

Causes of central sleep apnea include

Brain infections
Stroke
Heart failure
Parkinson’s disease
Obesity

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Complex sleep apnea syndrome, also referred to as mixed sleep apnea, is a type of sleep apnea that is a mix of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

What our patients say…

Dr. Mugford is the best! I am in the profession, and I have worked with many periodontists over the years. I drive over an hour and a half to go to my appointments. That is how impressed I have been with the skills and the knowledge that Dr. Mugford possesses! His results are outstanding and I had no pain after both of my procedures! I highly recommend Dr. Mugford and his staff to anyone!

5 Star Google Review: Dr. Monica

Causes and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

At The Mugford Center

Understanding Sleep Apnea: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that affects breathing during rest, often leading to disrupted sleep and long-term health complications. There are three main types: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), and mixed sleep apnea. The most common form, OSA, occurs when the airway becomes blocked by the tongue or other soft tissues, restricting airflow and interfering with breathing.

Sleep Apnea Causes

As discussed, there are three different types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and mixed sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. This particular type of sleep apnea occurs when your airway becomes blocked, either by your tongue or other intraoral tissues. When your airway is blocked by these tissues, it can interfere with your breathing.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Loud, chronic snoring
Insomnia
Breathing pauses for long periods
Waking up often at night
Forgetfulness, irritability, depression

What are the risk factors for Sleep Apnea?

Several factors can increase your likelihood of developing sleep apnea, including:

Being overweight or obese
Large neck circumference
Hypothyroidism
Older age (more common in adults)
Being male (higher risk than females)
Smoking or excessive alcohol consumption
Having a small lower jaw or misaligned bite

How to Reduce Your Risk

While some risk factors are unavoidable, there are ways to lower your chances of developing sleep apnea or reduce its severity:

Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid tobacco and excessive alcohol
Sleep on your side instead of your back
Seek orthodontic treatment for jaw or alignment issues
Consider an oral appliance to keep your airway open while you sleep

If you’re experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea or are at risk, early intervention is key to preventing serious health complications.

What our patients say…

My sincere gratitude to Angie, Dr. Mugford, front desk employees, and your entire staff. In addition to expertise, I had a phenomenal client experience today. The attention to detail, thoughtfulness, and attentiveness I received encompasses service at its best!

5 Star Google Review: Ranford D

Sleep Apnea Diagnosis and Treatment

At The Mugford Center

Diagnosing sleep apnea is typically done through a sleep study, which is performed in a sleep clinic. During your sleep study, which is called a polysomnogram, you are attached to machines that monitor and record different information while you sleep. Your heart rate, breathing, brain activities, blood oxygen levels, and the movements of your arms and legs are all monitored. After your sleep study is complete, the next day, the recorded information is read by a sleep specialist, who can interpret the results and diagnose sleep apnea or other sleep-related issues and prescribe you with appropriate treatment.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

There are a number of different treatments that may be recommended for sleep apnea.

Specialist

Talk to a doctor trained in sleep apnea. Come visit our doctors today to start the process.
Oxygen Aid

Use supplemental oxygen while sleeping. This will help treat the symptoms, but it may not address any underlying issues.
C-PAP Machine

A C-PAP (Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure) machine is a machine that delivers a constant flow of air through a small mask that is worn over your nose. This helps to keep your airway open while you sleep.
Oral Appliance

This treatment involves the use of a custom fit guard similar to a mouthguard that is worn while you sleep. These oral appliances, made by Dr. Mugford’s office, help your airway to stay open by keeping your lower jaw forward and preventing soft tissues from falling into your airway.
Oral Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be required. There are a few different types of procedures that may be performed, including removing excess oral tissue or moving your lower jaw forward.

Sleep Studies at a Clinic

Accurate diagnosis is necessary to enable effective treatment for sleep disorders. At The Mugford Center, our doctors may feel that a sleep study is a valuable diagnostic tool. The sleep study provides valuable insight into the causes of a person’s symptoms including which, if any, sleep disorder is present. Sleep studies are also used in people diagnosed with sleep disorders to monitor their response to treatment. The Doctors would request a polysomnography, where you would be assessed overnight with painless sensors that record information. Our team would contact you after the sleep study to discuss the findings and whether your results indicate that you have a sleep disorder.

Diagnose Sleep Apnea at Home

It can be possible in some situations to diagnose sleep apnea at home. We evaluate your symptoms, which can be done with the help of your partner. We can also provide you with a simplified version of a sleep study that can be done in the comfort of your own home. The technology used measures your information while you sleep, such as your breathing, airflow, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels. Home sleep studies cannot always detect sleep apnea. Depending on your symptoms, you may still be recommended for a sleep study in a clinic.

What our patients say…

Mugford is a world class operation with talented specialists and an exceptional staff. Highly recommend.
5 Star Google Review: Bill T

Treating Sleep Apnea with a Home Remedy

Depending on your situation, and the severity of your sleep apnea, it may be possible to treat sleep apnea with a home remedy. For some, losing weight is all that is needed to eliminate sleep apnea. Exercise, particularly yoga, can help to improve blood oxygen levels. For congestion-related sleep apnea, a humidifier in your bedroom may help. Some individuals may be able to eliminate sleep apnea simply by quitting tobacco products or drinking alcohol. There are a few things that you can do to help alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea until the condition is treated.

Healthy Choices

Changing lifestyle habits, such as quitting smoking or adding exercise to your routine can be helpful.
Exercise & Weight

Exercise can also help you to lose and maintain a healthy weight.
Sleeping Position

Changing the position in which you sleep can also help. If you find that you continue to roll onto your back, a special pillow can aid in keeping you on your side.
Nasal Passage

Open your nasal passage via breathing strips, saline nasal flush, or a nasal dilator.
Head Position

Elevate your head using extra pillows or a body wedge.
Diet & Alcohol

Some people may have issues sleeping when they consume alcohol. Try eliminating alcoholic drinks from your diet to see if this helps.

Treating Sleep Apnea with an Oral Appliance Therapy

An oral appliance can often be an effective way to treat sleep apnea and more comfortable than a CPAP device. Most patients simply can’t stand the uncomfortable equipment and loud noises that comes along with the CPAP, resulting in non-compliance and worsening symptoms. At The Mugford Center, we offer a better solution: oral appliance therapy called the Metz appliance. These custom-made, safe, FDA-approved devices are designed to reposition the jaw and/or tongue just enough to prevent dangerous airway blockage, resulting in easy, uninterrupted breathing throughout the night. They’re unobtrusive, easy to wear, and even convenient to travel with!

Oral appliance therapy might be a good option for you if:

You are suffering from mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
You have had surgery to treat your sleep apnea and it did not achieve the desired result.
You require sleep apnea treatment but are CPAP intolerant.
You snore and are at risk of developing sleep apnea in the future.
You travel often and need a sleep apnea treatment that is portable.
You could benefit from combined therapy.

Oral appliance therapy utilizes the same basic principle as CPR: if the airway is blocked, a simple way to clear it is to shift the jaw forward. This is actually what our oral appliances do. This small movement prevents the soft tissues in the mouth and throat from relaxing into the airway, allowing a patient to breathe normally while they sleep. Other types of oral appliances also keep the tongue in a neutral position as well.

Schedule Your Sleep Apnea Consultation Today

The proper diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea can help you to get the sleep you need, restoring your quality of life. For more information or to schedule your consultation, call The Mugford Center today at (410) 721-7801. We can help identify and diagnose the severity of the sleep apnea and discuss the best treatment options for your unique situation.