Could You Be Experiencing Sleep Apnea?

If you’re battling persistent exhaustion, it may be more than simple fatigue. Many individuals experience sleep apnea without realizing it, a condition in which airflow becomes restricted during sleep. Key indicators include:

  • Persistent, loud snoring
  • Frequent nighttime bathroom visits
  • Choking, gasping, or observable pauses in breathing during sleep
  • Morning headaches or sore throat
  • Difficulty concentrating or memory issues

If these symptoms sound familiar, it’s important to consult with a general physician or sleep specialist in the Charlotte region to receive an accurate diagnosis. Once diagnosed, Dr. Sudikoff provides highly specialized care through her dedicated practice focused exclusively on oral appliance therapy for sleep-related breathing disorders. With advanced training in TMJ and sleep medicine and recognition as a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, she offers custom, research-supported treatment tailored to each patient.

Book Online

Many people feel sluggish during the day. But if you or someone you know is consistently tired after a full night’s sleep, it may indicate an underlying medical condition such as sleep-disordered breathing. This affects an estimated 80 percent of the population, with the most common forms being Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and insomnia.

OSA occurs when the airway relaxes during sleep and soft tissues collapse, blocking airflow. These interruptions disrupt REM sleep and force the body to cycle into lighter sleep stages. Over time, lowered oxygen levels place strain on vital organs — the heart increases blood pressure to compensate, and risks for stroke and cardiovascular disease rise. Risk factors include BMI over 30, neck circumference over 16 inches, age over 50, and medical conditions such as hypertension, AFIB, and diabetes.

A commonly overlooked symptom of sleep apnea is nocturia (waking multiple times at night to urinate). During apnea episodes, oxygen levels drop, carbon dioxide increases, and the heart experiences a false signal of fluid overload, triggering the release of hormones that tell the body to excrete sodium and water.

Insomnia — difficulty falling or staying asleep — is another prevalent sleep disorder. Regardless of the suspected cause, a sleep medicine physician should evaluate persistent sleep difficulties.

The Different Types of Sleep Disorders

Three of the more common sleep disorders include:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea – A serious disorder marked by loud snoring and pauses in breathing due to airway obstruction.
Snoring – Often caused by vibration of relaxed throat tissues; not always dangerous but can be disruptive.
Insomnia – Difficulty falling or staying asleep; not typically dental-related.

Many patients are surprised to learn that some sleep disorders, particularly OSA and snoring, can be treated with custom oral appliances.

Dental Appliances for OSA

If you struggle to tolerate your CPAP — whether due to mask discomfort, claustrophobia, airflow pressure, skin irritation, or sleep interruption — you are not alone. Although CPAP remains the gold standard for treating moderate to severe OSA, its effectiveness is limited by patient compliance.

This is where Dr. Sudikoff’s specialized expertise becomes invaluable.

Her separate sleep-focused dental practice was developed specifically to help CPAP-intolerant patients achieve effective, comfortable, and sustainable treatment through custom mandibular advancement devices (MADs). These appliances gently reposition the lower jaw forward to prevent airway collapse, allowing for continuous airflow without a mask, machine noise, or tubing.

Benefits of a custom oral appliance include:

  • Individually fitted, comfortable design
  • No noise, tubes, or forced air
  • Easy to travel with
  • Effective for mild to moderate OSA, and valuable for many who cannot tolerate CPAP

As a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and an active member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Sudikoff brings advanced clinical training, extensive continuing education, and specialized knowledge of TMJ and airway health. This expertise allows her to coordinate seamlessly with physicians and sleep specialists to create a cohesive treatment plan.

Snoring and Dental Oral Appliances

Oral appliances can also significantly reduce snoring by stabilizing the airway and supporting the soft tissues. While snoring alone is not life-threatening, the only definitive way to determine whether it is related to sleep apnea is through a sleep study. Screening tools such as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale can be helpful in identifying excessive daytime sleepiness often associated with OSA.

Is an oral device right for me?
The first step is a sleep consultation. During your visit, Dr. Sudikoff will evaluate your airway, review your symptoms, and determine whether you are a strong candidate for a custom oral appliance. She will also discuss different device options and collaborate with your physician to ensure proper diagnosis and ongoing management.

Please call our office at (704) 632-9922 to schedule your appointment.