Struggling with poor sleep, loud snoring, or constant fatigue?
Sleep apnea doesn’t just disrupt your rest — it affects your whole life. Dr. Matsumoto is here to help you breathe easier, sleep better, and reclaim your energy.
We take a comprehensive, expert-driven approach to treating sleep apnea, addressing craniofacial development, airway function, TMJ health, and skeletal balance to ensure a lasting solution.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that affects about 50 to 70 million U.S. adults. This disorder is characterized by loud snoring and intermittent lapses in breathing while a person is sleeping.
During these intermittent lapses, oxygen does not reach the brain; this is what makes sleep apnea such a dangerous disorder. When the brain doesn’t receive oxygen during sleep, it signals the body to wake itself up. This reaction causes a person with sleep apnea disorder to wake up frequently, gasping for air throughout the night.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
If you experience any of the following sleep apnea symptoms, it’s possible that you have sleep apnea.
Loud snoring
Waking up throughout the night
Gasping for air
Waking up with a dry mouth
Irritability throughout the day
Difficulty paying attention throughout the day
Excessive sleepiness throughout the day
Waking up with a headache
Treating sleep apnea is important! Over time, sleep apnea can lead to a number of health complications, such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, and a shortened lifespan.
Sleep Apnea Causes and Risk Factors
Sleep apnea may develop due to a number of different reasons, including health conditions, daily habits, and the structure of the jaw bones.
Sleep apnea causes and risk factors include:
Excessive weight/obesity
Poor orthodontic bite condition
Sleeping on the back
Narrow airways due to narrow palate
Consuming alcohol before bed
Asthma
Genetic predisposition to sleep apnea
Treating Sleep Apnea with Orthodontics
Treating your sleep apnea/airway issues, Dr. Matsumoto needs to understand the cause.
If nasal breathing is obstructed, we need to improve your nasal airflow. Sometimes the answer is in expanding the dental and skeletal features. The space for the tongue is also a consideration.
At our Porters Neck office in Wilmington, NC, we work closely with Sleep Medicine physicians, ENTs, and Oral Surgeons. Depending on the patient’s age, we may use an orthodontic appliance, such as a palatal expander, to expand the palate of the mouth and treat the source of the obstruction that causes sleep apnea.
A full treatment of braces or clear aligners may be effective for treating your case! Once you visit Dr. Matsumoto for your consultation, he will examine your condition to determine the best treatment route.
Breathe Easier & Live Better with Sleep Apnea Treatment.
We’re here to answer your questions, and we want you to know your options!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any time. Dr. Matsumoto and our experienced team are here to guide you, so you can experience a positive treatment process while you achieve your perfect smile.
Ready to get started? Book your consultation at our orthodontic office in Porters Neck, Wilmington, NC today! While the majority of our consultations are free, charges may apply in select complex surgical or complicated cases.