Sleep Apnea Palo Alto

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly, and you feel tired even after a full night’s sleep.

The main types of sleep apnea are:

Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax.
Central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Complex sleep apnea syndrome, also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

If you think you might have any form of sleep apnea, contact Palo Alto Dentist Dr. Christine Hansen today. Treatment can ease your symptoms and may help prevent heart problems and other complications.

Oral Appliance Therapy Palo Alto

Oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A custom-fit oral sleep appliance can improve your sleep, restore your alertness and revitalize your health.

About Oral Appliance Therapy

Worn only during sleep, an oral appliance fits like a sports mouth guard or an orthodontic retainer. It supports the jaw in a forward position to help maintain an open upper airway. Research shows that oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

If you and your doctor decide that oral appliance therapy is the best treatment option for you, then Dr. Hansen will create a custom-made oral appliance. Palo Alto Sleep Apnea Specialist Dr. Hansen will recommend the oral appliance that is best for you. Oral appliance therapy is covered by many medical insurance plans.

Sleep Disordered Breathing

A sleep disorder prevents you from getting healthy and restful sleep. Many sleep disorders are undetected because a person can slowly become accustomed to the symptoms. For example, waking up tired or falling asleep reading a book might be signs of a sleep disorder.

What is Sleep Disordered Breathing?

Sleep Disordered Breathing (which includes Sleep Apnea or Upper Airway Resistance
Syndrome) is a serious sleep disorder that impairs your breathing while asleep.
Anyone can have Sleep Disordered Breathing, even children.
Symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing may include:
- Headaches
- Lack of energy
- Daytime sleepiness
- Snoring
- Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep
- Difficulty breathing while asleep

Patient Testimonials & Reviews

Dr. Hansen's expertise, professionalism, and dedication to patient care is exceptional. My family and I (all Dr. Hansen's patients) are so grateful to be under her care. From a comprehensive initial evaluation, thorough hygienic visits and state of the art dental care (customized crowns made on site!), we are very pleased with the care we receive. The staff is very welcoming, knowledgeable, and trained very well. Dr. Hansen's dedication to quality and optimal patient care is superb. We have had several dental emergencies in the last year and Dr. Hansen has gone above and beyond to help us get thru them safely and with the best outcome possible. Thank you Dr. Hansen! We are so lucky to have you! The Lazarov family

After not seeing a dentist for several years, my teeth needed a lot of work. Dr. Hansen pointed out the most critical areas, presenting options for the remainder. Never had a prior dentist been as concerned for the long term health of my teeth. Dr. Hansen planned treatments in order of importance, and completed all within a year. The highly competent staff set up appointments for me when an outside specialist was required—and their work is highly commendable as well. Every member of the staff is courteous, gentle, supportive, and knowledgeable. They did an excellent job of explaining care and prevention of my teeth and gums. I was shocked at how little I knew about dental care before I went to Dr. Hansen. Now I have healthy, beautiful teeth that I know how to take care of!

Thank you! Dr. Jurash and the staff are super friendly and professional. Over the holidays I chipped a tooth, and she and her staff were able to make it with only a day or so's notice, and also fix a neighboring tooth as well. Hope to come back again soon!