First, we want to explain what is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. These pauses, known as apneas, can last for a few seconds to minutes and can occur multiple times throughout the night. Sleep apnea can be categorized into three main types:

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This is the most common form of sleep apnea. It occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open, leading to repeated blockages or partial blockages during sleep.
2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): This type of sleep apnea is less common and occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Unlike OSA, there is no physical obstruction in the airway.
3. Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome (CompSA): Also known as mixed sleep apnea, this type is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

Along with the above diagnosis, your health care provider will also provide based on the sleep study, the severity of your sleep apnea. The categories of mild, moderate, and severe sleep apnea are used to classify the severity of the condition based on the number of breathing interruptions (apneas) and partial blockages (hypopneas) that occur during sleep. These categories are determined through a sleep study, which measures various parameters to assess the severity of sleep apnea. Here is a general overview of each category:

1. Mild Sleep Apnea: In mild sleep apnea, the individual experiences a moderate number of apneas and/or hypopneas during sleep. Typically, there are between 5 to 15 events per hour. Symptoms may include occasional snoring, daytime sleepiness, and mild disruptions in sleep quality.
2. Moderate Sleep Apnea: Moderate sleep apnea is characterized by a higher number of apneas and/or hypopneas during sleep. Generally, there are between 15 to 30 events per hour. Symptoms may include loud snoring, frequent awakenings, excessive daytime sleepiness, and noticeable disruptions in sleep quality.
3. Severe Sleep Apnea: Severe sleep apnea involves a significant number of apneas and/or hypopneas during sleep. Typically, there are more than 30 events per hour. Symptoms may include loud and persistent snoring, frequent awakenings, excessive daytime sleepiness, and significant disruptions in sleep quality.

It is important to note that the severity of sleep apnea is not solely based on the number of events but also takes into account the impact on an individual’s overall health and quality of life. A healthcare professional, such as a sleep specialist, can provide a comprehensive evaluation and recommend appropriate treatment options based on the severity of sleep apnea.

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and restless sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health complications, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Orthodontic treatment alone may not directly treat sleep apnea or eliminate it, but it can be a part of a comprehensive approach to managing the condition. Orthodontic treatment, such as braces or oral appliances, can help address certain anatomical factors that contribute to sleep apnea. For example, if the position of the jaw or the alignment of the teeth is causing airway obstruction, orthodontic treatment may be beneficial. An orthodontist can increase the dimensions of the palate (and the nasal cavity above it) and the oral cavity through palatal expansion and arch development. The theory is that anything that increases the size of oral or nasal cavities would reduce the prevalence of sleep apnea. Whether anchored to the teeth, the soft tissue, or the underlying bone, palatal expanders can broaden the dental arches and increase the volume of the oral and nasal cavities. Orthodontic alignment that makes the arches wider or moves the front teeth forward also increases the size of the oral cavity. Arch expansion occurs in most routine orthodontic treatment with or without extractions.

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, it is crucial to consult with a sleep medicine specialist who can diagnose the condition and recommend appropriate treatment options. They will consider various factors, including the severity of your sleep apnea, before determining the most effective treatment plan, which may include orthodontic intervention as part of a comprehensive approach.