Patient testimonials

My whole life I have always been nervous about going to the dentist; however I knew I needed to have cosmetic dental work completed before my daughters wedding in July 2006. My teeth were irregular, discolored and I did not feel good about my smile. After completing my cosmetic dental work with Dr. Postol the results went beyond my expectations.

My teeth are whiter, straighter and my smile is beautiful! I was very pleased with my total experience with the entire staff at Dr. Postol's office. It was the best investment I have every made in my life.
Bev T, Ellisville, MO

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder which is characterized by interruptions of the normal breathing cycle during periods of sleep. These interruptions can sometimes occur hundreds of times during a night’s sleep and can last up to a minute or more. Sleep apnea is a common condition, affecting over 12 million Americans. Those most commonly affected by sleep apnea include individuals who are:

Of male gender
Obese
Over forty years of age
Users of Alcohol

However, sleep apnea can and does affect many other people as well, including women, children, and people of average weight. Left untreated, sleep apnea can cause cardiovascular difficulties, headaches, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, impotence, or weight gain; in severe cases, this condition can be potentially life threatening and lead to irregular heartbeat, heart attack, or stroke.

There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea and mixed sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea indicates that the lungs are functioning normally, but no oxygen is getting into the system due to an obstruction in the upper airway. In central sleep apnea, the upper airway is open but the brain’s respiratory control centers are not stimulating the lungs and the diaphragm properly during sleep; mixed sleep apnea combines symptoms of both obstructive and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is by far the most common form of sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

At Dr. Postol’s, we provide obstructive sleep apnea treatment for patients by creating removable oral appliances, which are worn by sleep apnea sufferers at night to help ensure that the upper airways stays open. With these custom-tailored appliances, we can successfully treat most mild to moderate cases of obstructive sleep apnea without the necessity for surgical treatment. These appliances have also been shown to be highly effective at reducing snoring.

To find out whether you are a candidate for sleep apnea treatment, make an appointment with Dr. Postol today.