Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea
A good night’s sleep is essential for your overall health and well-being. If you or a loved one experiences loud snoring, frequent awakenings, or persistent fatigue, you may be suffering from sleep apnea—a condition that disrupts breathing during sleep. At BOCO Dental & Prosthodontics in Boulder, CO, Dr. Marisa Patt offers customized oral appliance therapy to help patients breathe easier and sleep more soundly. These non-invasive devices provide an effective alternative to traditional CPAP machines, helping manage mild to moderate sleep apnea comfortably and discreetly. As a skilled sleep apnea dentist in Boulder, Dr. Patt works closely with your physician to ensure comprehensive, coordinated care that supports restful sleep and long-term health.
A good night’s sleep is essential for your overall health and well-being. If you or a loved one experiences loud snoring, frequent awakenings, or persistent fatigue, you may be suffering from sleep apnea—a condition that disrupts breathing during sleep. At BOCO Dental & Prosthodontics in Boulder, CO, Dr. Marisa Patt offers customized oral appliance therapy to help patients breathe easier and sleep more soundly. These non-invasive devices provide an effective alternative to traditional CPAP machines, helping manage mild to moderate sleep apnea comfortably and discreetly. As a skilled sleep apnea dentist in Boulder, Dr. Patt works closely with your physician to ensure comprehensive, coordinated care that supports restful sleep and long-term health.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during the night. These interruptions prevent your body from achieving deep, restorative sleep, which can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability, and long-term health complications if left untreated.
Types of Sleep Apnea
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common form of sleep apnea, OSA occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax and temporarily block the airway. This can cause loud snoring, gasping, or frequent awakenings throughout the night.
- Central Sleep, Apnea (CSA): This less common type occurs when the brain fails to send consistent signals to the muscles that control breathing. Unlike OSA, CSA is neurological in nature and typically requires medical management in coordination with a sleep specialist.
- Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome: Also known as treatment-emergent sleep apnea, this condition involves a combination of both obstructive and central components. It often requires a multidisciplinary approach for diagnosis and care.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Because sleep apnea occurs during rest, many people don’t realize they have it until a partner or loved one notices the signs. Over time, interrupted breathing can take a toll on your energy, focus, and overall health.
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Gasping for air or pauses in breathing during sleep
- Morning headaches or dry mouth
- Excessive daytime fatigue or difficulty staying awake
- Problems with concentration, memory, or focus
- Irritability or mood changes
- Jaw tension or pain often linked to TMJ disorders
If you recognize these symptoms, it’s important to schedule a professional evaluation. At BOCO Dental & Prosthodontics in Boulder, Dr. Marisa Patt uses advanced digital technology to assess airway health, with all diagnostic results reviewed and confirmed by a board-certified sleep physician.
Why Treat Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is more than just an inconvenience—it’s a serious medical condition that can impact your overall health and quality of life. When left untreated, repeated interruptions in breathing can place strain on your body and contribute to long-term complications, including:
- High blood pressure and heart disease
- Stroke and diabetes
- Weakened immune system
- Decreased energy and impaired cognitive function
Treating sleep apnea not only helps prevent these health risks but also enhances daily energy, focus, and emotional well-being.
Dr. Patt's Approach to Sleep Apnea Treatment
At BOCO Dental & Prosthodontics in Boulder, Dr. Marisa Patt takes a personalized, patient-first approach to sleep apnea care. Her focus is on comfortable, effective, and non-invasive treatments designed to restore healthy sleep and long-term well-being.
- Diagnosis with SleepImage Technology: Using advanced SleepImage™ technology, Dr. Patt collects accurate data about your breathing patterns and sleep quality. This objective testing allows for a precise diagnosis, ensuring that every treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs.
- Custom Oral Sleep Appliances: A custom-made oral appliance gently repositions your jaw during sleep to keep your airway open. Comfortable, compact, and easy to wear, these appliances are an excellent option for patients seeking a non-invasive alternative to CPAP therapy.
- Solea Sleep Laser Therapy: Dr. Patt also offers Solea Sleep laser therapy, an innovative treatment that reduces soft tissue vibrations in the airway to minimize snoring and improve airflow—all without discomfort or downtime.
- Adjunct Therapy: For comprehensive results, Dr. Patt may recommend supportive therapies such as targeted exercises, stress management techniques, or guided lifestyle adjustments to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment.
Why Choose Dr. Patt at BOCO Dental & Prosthodontics?
Patients throughout Boulder trust Dr. Marisa Patt for her unique combination of prosthodontic expertise, advanced diagnostics, and compassionate care. She takes the time to listen to your concerns, explain your options, and develop a plan that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
At BOCO Dental, you can expect precise evaluations, collaborative care with medical professionals, and comfortable, effective oral appliance therapy designed to help you breathe better, sleep soundly, and wake up refreshed.
Schedule a Consultation to explore personalized treatment options in Boulder, CO.
At BOCO Dental & Prosthodontics in Boulder, Dr. Marisa Patt is dedicated to helping patients achieve restful sleep and improved overall health. By combining her prosthodontic expertise with advanced diagnostic technology, she provides thorough evaluations and personalized sleep apnea treatments that promote lasting comfort, better breathing, and deeper, more restorative rest.
Take the First Step
Toward Better Sleep
Don’t let sleep apnea continue to disrupt your nights or impact your health. Contact BOCO Dental & Prosthodontics in Boulder, CO today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Marisa Patt. Whether you need a professional diagnosis, custom oral appliance therapy, or innovative options like Solea Sleep, our team is here to help you breathe easier, sleep soundly, and restore your daytime energy.
Your best rest starts here—discover comfortable, effective treatment in Boulder with Dr. Patt and the caring team at BOCO Dental & Prosthodontics.
Smiles All Around
Don’t let sleep apnea disrupt your nights and affect your health. Contact BOCO Dental and Prosthodontics in Boulder, CO today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Marisa Patt. Whether you need a diagnosis, oral appliance therapy, or innovative options like Solea Sleep, our team is here to help you breathe easier, sleep soundly, and reclaim your energy.
FAQs
About
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night. This disrupts your sleep cycle and can lead to symptoms like snoring, fatigue, and more serious health issues if left untreated.
Common symptoms include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, morning headaches, excessive daytime sleepiness, trouble concentrating, and irritability. If you experience any of these symptoms, you may benefit from an evaluation.
Dr. Patt uses advanced technology from SleepImage to objectively assess your sleep quality. The collected data is then reviewed by a certified Sleep MD to provide an accurate diagnosis and guide treatment recommendations.
Dr. Patt offers several treatment options, including custom oral sleep appliances, Solea Sleep laser therapy to reduce snoring, and adjunct therapies such as lifestyle guidance or physical therapy.
A custom oral appliance gently repositions your jaw while you sleep, keeping your airway open. It’s a non-invasive, comfortable option for treating mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Solea Sleep is a cutting-edge, non-invasive laser therapy that reduces vibrations in the airway to decrease snoring and improve airflow. It’s a quick, painless procedure with no downtime.
Yes, if left untreated it can lead to serious health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Treating this disorder can significantly improve both your quality of life and long-term health.
Not necessarily. While snoring is a common symptom, not all snoring is related to the condition. If snoring is accompanied by pauses in breathing, gasping, or fatigue, it’s worth getting evaluated.
Dr. Patt will evaluate your symptoms, review diagnostic data, and discuss your preferences to create a personalized treatment plan. She offers a range of options to ensure the best fit for your specific needs.
This varies by treatment type. Many patients experience relief from snoring and better sleep quality shortly after starting oral appliances or Solea Sleep therapy. Dr. Patt will guide you on what to expect and monitor your progress closely.
