Dr. Rachel E Pickworth is a Diplomate with the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.
Medical Insurance and Medicare Accepted
Did you know that your dentist is commonly the first step in diagnosing sleep apnea? An estimated 1 in 12 Americans suffer from sleep apnea, so it might be time to book that dental visit. Dr. Rachel E. Pickworth can help you begin your journey toward a better night’s sleep and improved overall health?
Dr. Pickworth, is a Diplomate with the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, a member of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy (ASBA), The New Jersey Sleep Society, and The American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM).
She offers solutions for Sleep Apnea patients and provides the best sleep apnea treatment for them. Dr. Pickworth helps patients get their sleep apnea diagnosed, and provides effective treatments, with Oral Appliance Therapy.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder where your upper airway is blocked while you sleep, causing you to stop breathing entirely for extended periods of time throughout the night. These episodes can last anywhere from a few seconds to minutes, and sufferers of sleep apnea can have hundreds of these episodes every night. Sleep apnea prevents the brain and body from getting enough oxygen and can put you at risk for total respiratory failure.
Sleep apnea is dangerous if left untreated, and can lead to a number of severe health conditions, such as:
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Headaches
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart failure and irregular heartbeats
What Are the Signs Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
You might notice some of the following symptoms if you have sleep apnea:
- Loud snoring
- Lack of energy during the day
- Waking up throughout the night with a gasping or choking sensation
- Forgetfulness, decreased interest in sex, and mood changes
- Morning headaches
- Insomnia
- Extreme drowsiness
- Irregular sleep
- Difficulty breathing
- Waking up with a dry or sore throat
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Pickworth at Advanced Dental of Holmdel. During your first appointment, she will review your full medical history and test your airways using a Pharyngometer.
Pharyngometer
Quick, noninvasive OSA detection.
Most Pharyngometers use acoustic reflection technology, similar to a boat’s sonar, to map out the structure, size and collapsibility of the oral/nasal airway. Studies have shown a direct relationship between the existence of OSA and narrow, collapsible, airways. Dr. Pickworth uses the Pharyngometer to quickly screen patients prior to diagnosis of sleep apnea. If the Pharyngometer detects a narrow airway it often correlates to a higher risk of OSA. The Pharyngometer is also used to determine the most appropriate position for the oral appliance.
Sleep Apnea Testing
A sleep study is the only definitive way to tell whether or not you suffer from sleep apnea and how severe that apnea might be. Sleep studies can be conducted in a sleep laboratory or at home using an ambulatory sleep study device such as the WatchPat.
The sleep study monitors a variety of functions during sleep including sleep state, eye movement, muscle activity, heart rate, respiratory effort, airflow, and blood oxygen levels. This test is used both to diagnose sleep apnea and to determine its severity.
Oral Appliance Therapy
An oral appliance is a device that fits in your mouth over your teeth while you sleep. It keeps your tongue and lower jaw in a forward position helping prevent the airway from collapsing. An oral appliance is recommended for individuals with primary snoring, mild and moderate sleep apnea and for patients who are unable to tolerate the CPAP machine. There are several different types of oral appliances available in our office.
