Skip to main content
Sleep Apnea and Oral Appliance Therapy
Restful Sleep for Good Health

Having trouble sleeping? Head on over to Bruce E. Matthews, DDS and check out our Sleep Apnea & Oral Appliance Therapy.

Find Restful Sleep
Man sleeping after sleep apnea treatment in Wilmington DE
Breathe easier today – call to schedule a consultation!
Contact Us

Snoring & Sleep Apnea Treatment in Wilmington, DE

Do you or a loved one snore throughout the night and feel exhausted throughout the day? Snoring is more than just loud noise; it can be a sign of Sleep Disordered Breathing or SDB. The most common form of Sleep Disordered Breathing is Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Someone who suffers from Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA , stops breathing multiple times throughout the night as the tongue and soft tissue surrounding the airway relax and block air from entering the lungs. The lack of airflow deprives the brain and body of needed oxygen. The results can be detrimental to the body and devastating to overall health.

Unfortunately, it is estimated that 30-40 million Americans have undiagnosed sleep apnea. Cumulative effects of OSA can result in severe health consequences such as heart attacks, stroke, Diabetes Type II, and artery blockages.

 

Some signs and symptoms of OSA include:

  • Snoring 
  • Hypertension 
  • Depression 
  • Acid reflux (GERD) 
  • Daytime sleepiness 
  • Lethargy 
  • Morning headaches 
  • Dry or sore mouth in the morning 
  • Irregular heartbeat 
  • Trouble concentrating 
  • Memory problems 
  • Irritability 
  • Nighttime tooth grinding and clenching

Wilmington, DE Sleep Apnea Treatment 

The good news is that our dentist in Wilmington, DE can help!

We can screen you for signs of sleep apnea in the 19703 area through a simple-to-use, noninvasive, and reliable Home Sleep Screener. Based on the results, we work closely with local Sleep Physicians to determine a treatment plan specific to you and your needs.

There are three main ways to treat OSA. You may be most familiar with the CPAP, a device to force the airway open with pressurized air. While this treatment is effective in many cases, compliance is an issue for many OSA sufferers. Surgery to remove excess tissue or move the jaws forward can be effective but invasive.

Oral Appliance Therapy, or OAT , results in improved airflow while breathing by gently holding the lower jaw forward at night. The appliance is easy to wear and compliance is vastly improved over CPAP therapy in Claymont, DE, Wilmington, DE and beyond.

Contact our Wilmington, DE Dentist Office Today!

Click here to contact us for a consultation. Don’t suffer with the symptoms of OSA any longer. Treat yourself to better sleep and health!

Why Choose Us for Sleep Apnea Treatment in Wilmington, DE

Sleep apnea therapy is vital to your well-being and long-term health. Below, we share a few reasons to consider our dental office for your treatment.

Sleep Apnea Diagnostics

With us, you don't have to schedule your sleep apnea assessment with another provider. We have diagnostic methods available.

Sleep Apnea Consultation

We can collaborate with a trusted sleep doctor to coordinate your care and prescribe a remedy that works just for you.

Sleep Apnea Guidance

We are always here to answer your questions and provide ongoing guidance for your sleep apnea in Wilmington, DE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep-related breathing disorder that affects over 20 million Americans, with about 75% of cases going undiagnosed. It is much more common in men than women, and the likelihood of sleep apnea increases as we age.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

A sleep apnea episode occurs when the tongue and muscles in the throat relax and soften to the point that they close off the airway. One of the most prominent sleep apnea symptoms is loud snoring or gasping for breath noticed by a sleep partner.

If you live alone, common signs of sleep apnea to look for are:

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Waking up with dry mouth
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability or mood swings
  • High blood pressure
  • Headaches
  • Weight gain

It’s crucial to identify and treat sleep apnea as moderate to severe cases significantly increase a patient’s risk for coronary artery disease, stroke, and heart failure.

Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea in Wilmington, DE

If you experience any of the above symptoms, we can arrange an at-home sleep study test coordinated with a local sleep physician. While a CPAP mask is typically recommended for moderate to severe sleep apnea, it can be cumbersome to wear, and many patients simply go without it.

An alternative to a CPAP mask that we offer at our Wilmington, DE dental office is customized oral appliance therapy or OAT. This device places your lower jaw in a slightly forward position that keeps the airway open and allows you to breathe freely.

Do You Have Sleep Apnea?

If you suspect sleep apnea, please don’t wait to seek treatment. There are solutions available to protect your health and allow you to get a restful night’s sleep. Please call us so we can help you.

Yes, children can use oral appliance therapy to treat sleep apnea. It’s important to note, however, that suitability depends on the child's specific needs.

Oral appliance therapy uses custom-made devices, like mandibular advancement devices (MADs) and tongue retaining devices (TRDs), designed to keep the airway open during sleep, typically by adjusting the position of the lower jaw and tongue. These appliances are commonly used in adults but can be effective in pediatric patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

For children, oral appliance therapy is an option when treatments like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) are not suitable or ineffective. However, while oral appliance therapy can be beneficial for children with OSA, it's important to continually monitor their still-growing jaws and teeth to ensure continued proper development.

In many cases, oral appliances are used as part of a broader treatment plan that can also include suggested lifestyle changes or surgical interventions. Consult with a pediatric sleep specialist or dentist to determine if oral appliance therapy is the right option for your child.

Compassionate Sleep Apnea Care for Kids in Wilmington, DE

If you're in Wilmington, DE, and want an experienced dental team to help protect your young ones from the potential pitfalls of sleep apnea, contact the caring and compassionate Bruce E. Matthews, DDS, PA, team today to book a consultation!

Read More FAQs

Meet Our Doctors:

Bruce Matthews DDS
Dentist

Bruce E. Matthews, DDS is a Wilmington native. He graduated from the University of Delaware and obtained his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Georgetown University. He completed his General Practice residency at the Wilmington Medical Center.

Dr. Matthews maintains active memberships in the American Dental Association, the Delaware State Dental Society, and is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry. He is state chairperson of the Pierre Fauchard Academy and a member of several local study clubs. He is also a member of the DIDER Board (Delaware Institute for Dental Education and Research). Additionally, he is ...

Read More

Brian Matthews DMD
Dentist

Brian Matthews, DMD is a 2006 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, with a degree in Biology/Neuroscience. After of year of Neurologic research at Penn, Dr. Matthews entered Temple University's Kornberg School of Dentistry, where he achieved membership to various academic honor societies.

He graduated in 2011, and began a General Practice Residency at Christiana Care Health System, in Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. Matthews enters the family practice with great enthusiasm, skill and compassion.

Achievements:

  • Graduated, honors with distinction, from the University of Pennsylvania, 2006
  • Co-author of "Immediate Short-Duration Hypothermia Provides Long-Term Protection in an In Vivo Model of Traumatic ...
Read More

Daniel Matthews DMD
Dentist

Daniel E. Matthews, DMD is the second of five children. He graduated from Georgetown University and received his Doctorate of Medical Dentistry from the University of Pennsylvania.

He completed his General Practice dental residency at Christiana Care in June 2006 and joined our dental team in July.

Dr. Dan is a member of the American Dental Association, Delaware State Dental Society and the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Dan and his wife reside in Wilmington.

Achievements:

  • Graduated from Georgetown University in 2001
  • Graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 2005
  • Completed hospital-based residency in General/Family Dentistry at Christiana ...
Read More

Katie Matthews DMD
Dentist

Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

Katie Matthews, DMD is from Hamilton Square, NJ. She completed her education in Philadelphia, PA, worked in private practice, and was an attending at a pediatric dental residency program for a number of years. She recently joined her husband and father-in-law in the family practice of Bruce Matthews, DDS and continues to practice at the local children’s hospital in Wilmington, DE. Dr. Katie and her husband, Dr. Daniel Matthews, reside in Landenburg, PA with their three children.

Dr. Katie’s emphasis on patient comfort, as well as keeping up-to-date with the latest advancements in pediatric dentistry, enable her ...

Read More
Meet More of our Staff

Featured Blog Posts - Sleep Apnea and Oral Appliance Therapy

November 29, 2020

Sleep Apnea - More Common Than You Might Think

Young family smiling | Wilmington DE Dentist

Sleep apnea is a sleep condition notable for abnormal breathing during rest.

Patients who suffer from sleep apnea experience extended pauses while breathing as they sleep. These pauses in breathing result in low-quality sleep and affect the body's oxygen supply, creating a host of serious health conditions.

Do you snore loudly and constantly? Do you continually feel tired even after going to bed early? You might have sleep apnea.

How to Tell if You Have Sleep Apnea

Common signs of sleep apnea include:

  • Loud snoring every night
  • Dry or sore throat
  • Gasping for air during sleep
  • Insomnia
  • Drowsy ...
Read More
August 21, 2020

Are You Getting the Rest You Need at Night?

older couple smiling | Dentist in wilmington de

Have you been accused of loud snoring at night? Perhaps you find yourself feeling exhausted by noon even though you've had a full night's sleep? Did you know that you could be suffering from sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a dangerous sleep disorder that disrupts your normal rest cycle by waking you up throughout the night. This condition is prevalent among many adults, and it may be more common than you think.

It is estimated that around 22 million people have sleep apnea, and the bad news is that an estimated ...
Read More
Read Our Blogs
Getting an appointment is fast and easy!
Get Started!