Sleeptember

People suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can count on quality care at Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring. We are providers of custom-fitted oral appliances that keep peoples’ airways open at night. But sleep apnea is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions, which is why the American Sleep Apnea Association has launched the Sleeptember campaign to raise awareness of it.
OSA is a potentially life-threatening condition. When people have it, their throat tissue sags into their airway when they’re asleep, causing them to be taken out of deep sleep throughout the night. In the short-term, they may have a harder time waking up if they stop breathing and will feel tired the next day. In the long-term, they are at increased risk for heart disease and depression. Sleep apnea is also a major factor in vehicular accidents and is often the cause of nighttime teeth grinding, also known as bruxism.
Snoring is one of the most significant red flags for sleep apnea. Other signs are lax eyelids and inexplicable fatigue. Patients can visit a sleep center for a diagnosis. If they test positive, we’ll work with their care team to fabricate a night guard that will protect them from bruxism and keep their jaw in a position that is less likely to cause an obstruction.
David Bishop, DDS, Dorienne Taylor-Bishop, DDS, and Alicia Reynolds, DDS, operate Bishop & Bishop Dental at 8757 Georgia Ave, Suite 810, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910. To set up an appointment, call 301-608-9270 or visit Bishop Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Sleep Apnea and the Heart

Sleep apnea is not only a serious medical condition, but left untreated it can lead to many other health issues and is dangerous for the heart!  A patient with sleep apnea does not breathe properly during sleep, resulting in low oxygen levels throughout the entire body. Breathing supplies lungs with oxygen but also the rest of the body.  When there is a lack of oxygen, the part of the heart responsible for moving oxygenated blood to the organs and extremities is forced to work extra hard.  This can cause an enlarged heart and eventually heart failure.
Those living with untreated sleep apnea are at a higher risk of developing irregular heartbeats, and also have a higher risk for a stroke and heart attack.  Men with untreated sleep apnea are actually living with double the risk for a stroke.  If you have yet to find a solution for sleep apnea, please visit Bishop & Bishop Dental for a consultation.
To learn more about sleep apnea and the treatments we offer, visitwww.bishopdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. David Bishop at Bishop & Bishop Dental here in Silver Spring, Maryland, call 301-608-9270.

What Can You Do About Sleep Apnea in Silver Spring, MD?

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that affects the way patients breathe while sleeping. By causing your breath to become interrupted for 10 to 20 seconds at a time and jolting you out of your natural sleep rhythm multiple times a night, the condition can cause your energy, mental acuity and productivity to suffer. Over time, sleep apnea can even lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and weight gain.

At Bishop & Bishop Dental, Dr. David Bishop uses oral surgery to treat sleep apnea and increase the quality of sleep and life for his patients.  Oral surgery relieves sleep apnea symptoms by removing the blockage caused by excess tissue, which vibrates and blocks the upper air passages. One way this is done is through UPPP, or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, which involves removing excess tissue from the upper mouth and throat while under general anesthesia. Maxillomandibular advancement is another procedure used to treat sleep apnea. This procedure moves the lower jaw forward, away from the rest of facial bones, which allows more room behind the soft palate and reduces any obstruction.

If these treatments fail to relieve your sleep apnea, a tracheostomy can be performed. A tracheostomy is when a tube is inserted into your throat to allow breathing. The tube is covered during the day while you are awake and then opened at night while you sleep.

If you have sleep apnea, call (301) 608-9270 to schedule an appointment in Silver Spring, MD. For more information about the dentist and his services, please visit www.bishopdental.com.    

Sleep Apnea

While most dental practices offer a very narrow scope of procedures, we have established a full-service dental practice that specializes in preventative, restorative and cosmetic dental procedures. For patients hoping to restore their smile after an accident should be aware of the many options we have available to fix their smile.

 

With restorative dentistry, we are able to replace or restore missing teeth or missing parts of the tooth structure. Tooth structure can be damaged due to decay, deterioration of a previously placed restoration or the tooth could fracture. We offer the following restorative dental procedures at our Silver Spring, MD office:

• Bridges
• Crowns
• Dentures
• Bonding

The goal of restorative dentistry is to preserve your natural teeth as much as possible. In cases where we cannot save the natural teeth, full dentures might be necessary. Most people do not know that a missing tooth can cause serious damage to your mouth. When a tooth a missing, the rest of your teeth will begin to shift, causing your teeth to become misaligned. When teeth become misaligned, they are more difficult to clean, and decayed teeth are susceptible to periodontal disease which can lead to tooth loss. Missing teeth also put extra stress on your remaining natural teeth because you don't have as much surface area to chew with.

 

If you are missing any teeth, consider restorative treatments at Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring, MD. Our staff has years of experience and specialize in these restorative treatments. 

Snoring & Snoring Devices

Snoring & Snoring Devices

Bishop & Bishop Dental provides dental care for all types of oral health issues, including snoring and snoring devices. We offer a variety of oral appliances and devices that help our patients stop snoring whether it is related to sleep apnea or due to the tissues in their throat.

 

These devices are custom made to be comfortable and secure while patients sleep, reducing snoring and helping them get better sleep. Dr. David Bishop also provides oral appliances specifically for patients struggling with sleep apnea, which is a common cause of snoring.

 

Snoring and snoring devices available here in our dental practice help position the jaw and tongue while sleeping, increase the tongue’s muscle tone so it is more relaxed during sleep, and stabilize the tongue and jaw.

 

Tongue retaining appliances, CPAP machines for sleep apnea, and mandibular repositioning appliances that keep the lower jaw in a protruded position are just a few of the various appliances available to help with snoring.

 

Please call us at 301-608-9270 to learn more about snoring and snoring devices we provide and how they can help you stop snoring at night.