Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment in West Village, NYC
Do you wake up every morning feeling groggy and poorly rested? Has a roommate or partner told you that you snore? If so, it’s possible you suffer from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a medical condition characterized by a repeated stop-and-start pattern of breathing during sleep. A physician can diagnose sleep apnea after a sleep study is conducted.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, there is no need to fear. At Keith Bracy, D.D.S., PLLC, we offer several treatments for sleep apnea in New York, New York. If snoring and sleep apnea have been affecting your life, you don’t have to go another day without getting the help you need. Our West Village dentist, Dr. Keith Bracy, wants to help you discover a life without sleep apnea.
Below, we have provided answers to some of our commonly asked questions to help you better understand snoring, sleep apnea, and how they relate to your dental health. If you have additional questions at any time, please do not hesitate to call our West Village dental office at (212) 390-8399!
- What does my dentist have to do with sleep apnea?
- What are some signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea?
- When should I consult with a dentist regarding my obstructive sleep apnea?
- Can Dr. Bracy make me a sleep apnea appliance without a sleep study?
- Can Dr. Bracy bill my medical insurance for my sleep apnea oral appliance?
- What are anti-snore appliances?
What does my dentist have to do with sleep apnea?
While dentists are not typically the ones to diagnose sleep apnea (your regular physician or a sleep specialist will do this), dentists can offer effective ways to treat sleep apnea that will also help out your oral health in the process.
One way dentists can help you treat obstructive sleep apnea is with oral appliance therapy. Our dental office likewise offers oral appliances to dental patients who are a good fit for the treatment. Dr. Bracy can offer oral appliance therapy in our West Village, NYC dental office. If you want to learn how easy it is to treat your sleep apnea at the dentist, call us today or book a dental appointment online. 
What are some signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea?
It can be difficult to recognize sleep apnea within your own life because you are usually asleep when the problems are occurring. Some symptoms, however, are easy to notice even during your waking hours. Common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring or difficulty breathing during sleep
- Insomnia
- Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
- Morning sleepiness and difficulty concentrating
- High blood pressure
- Abrupt awakenings during the night, accompanied by gagging
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be a sign that you suffer from sleep apnea. If you suspect you have obstructive sleep apnea, you should first see your primary care physician and discuss your symptoms. Your physician may order a sleep study to confirm your diagnosis.
When should I consult with a dentist regarding my obstructive sleep apnea?
After diagnosis, your physician may start you on the gold standard of obstructive sleep apnea treatment – the CPAP machine. CPAP machines are worn while the patient is asleep. The CPAP machine provides pressure to the airway to keep it unblocked during sleep. However, many patients are not able to tolerate the CPAP machine. Many find the CPAP machine too bulky or noisy to use during sleep. These patients are called CPAP intolerant, and it is important they seek another treatment option. This is where dentists like Dr. Bracy who are trained in sleep apnea appliances come in.
After you have discussed your CPAP intolerance with your physician, they can refer you to a dentist to fabricate a sleep apnea oral appliance for you. The sleep apnea oral appliances are fabricated from dental impressions. There are several different types of sleep apnea dental appliances, but they all work by the same mechanism of pulling your throat muscles and tissues slightly forward so that your airway does not obstruct during sleep. They are easy to use and to wear during sleep, and they are similar to night guards. Many patients report that oral appliances are much more comfortable than CPAP machines.
Sleep apnea appliances can vastly improve the quality of life for CPAP-intolerant patients. Many patients report that they can finally sleep well and that they feel refreshed in the morning. Others have an overall improvement in their health, such as a reduction in blood pressure and a stabilized mood. Sleep apnea oral appliances are backed by research that shows treatment success with mild, moderate, and severe obstructive sleep apnea.
If you would like to learn more about our oral appliances for sleep apnea in West Village, contact our dental office today at (212) 390-8399.
Can Dr. Bracy make me a sleep apnea appliance without a sleep study?
No. It is important that all patients suspecting that they have obstructive sleep apnea see a physician and have a sleep study conducted first. Dr. Bracy can only create a sleep apnea oral appliance after you have been diagnosed and referred by a physician. If you do not have a physician, Dr. Bracy is happy to refer you to a list of primary care physicians in the NYC area.
Can Dr. Bracy bill my medical insurance for my sleep apnea oral appliance in 10011?
Yes. Our NYC dental office is contracted with a professional medical billing company that can handle medical insurance claims. We can pre-authorize your medical insurance and give you a full explanation of deductibles, copayments and medical coverage for your sleep apnea oral appliance. If you proceed with treatment, we can even submit your claim for you.
Medical insurance coverage varies widely and can be confusing, but we are happy to help you navigate it. If you do not have coverage for the appliance, a monthly payment plan can be set up. However, our dental office cannot bill Medicaid or Medicare.
What are anti-snore appliances?
Anti-snore appliances, often called snore guards, work similarly to sleep apnea appliances. Dr. Bracy can fabricate the Silent Nite® appliance for the reduction of snoring. He can attest that they really do work since he uses one himself! A referral from your physician and sleep study is not necessary for a snore guard, but Dr. Bracy advises you to discuss your snoring with your medical provider.
Obstructive sleep apnea and snoring are common medical problems that dentists like Dr. Bracy now play a role in treating. Our Manhattan dental office, located in the West Village, can provide you with treatment options. We are also conveniently located near Chelsea, Greenwich Village, Union Square, and Flatiron. Please use one of our online booking tools or call us at (212) 390-8399 to learn more.
Contact Our West Village, NYC Dental Office
Are you ready to discover a life free from snoring and sleep apnea symptoms? Don’t wait another day to seek treatment for your conditions. Dr. Bracy and our caring dental team are ready to help you find the relief you need. To schedule your dental appointment with our Manhattan sleep apnea dentist, give us a call today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Keith Bracy, DDS practices dental sleep medicine in NYC. Do you need a sleep apnea oral appliance? Then come to our dental office to have it made! We are conveniently located at 100 West 12th Street.
What is a sleep apnea appliance? There are many different types and brands of appliances out there but they essentially all work by the same principle – pushing your lower jaw forward so your airway is less obstructed. The benefit of having an open airway during sleep can not be overstated! Many of our dental sleep apnea patients report the benefits. One major benefit is less snoring! Many of the sleep apnea oral appliances can also be used to treat snoring.
How do I get started with a sleep apnea oral appliance? Come into our West Village dental practice or give us a call at 212-390-8399. Dr. Bracy will walk you through the steps.
Step 1: Diagnosis of your sleep disorder. If you haven’t been diagnosed you can work hand in hand with Dr. Bracy and your physician to figure out your condition. In most cases, a sleep study is conducted to see if you have Obstructive Sleep Apnea or not.
Step 2: Treatment Options. CPAP machines are still considered the gold standard of therapy for obstructive sleep apnea, but many patients can not tolerate them due to the noise they made or the bulky feeling of a mask on your face. If you can not tolerate your CPAP machine, your doctor might prescribe you an oral appliance therapy with Dr. Bracy.
Step 3: Dental Sleep Consult with Dr. Bracy. We will perform a thorough exam and recommend the right sleep apnea appliance for your needs. Some appliances work better with patients who also grind their teeth at night. While others work better for patients with limited dexterity. At your consult, Dr. Bracy’s friendly staff can also help you figure out financing for your dentist sleep apnea oral appliance. At Keith Bracy, DDS we have a dedicated medical insurance billing team that can help you utilize your medical insurance to help cover the cost of your treatment.
Step 4: Digital Scan of your Teeth – Keith Bracy, DDS will use a high tech, digital scanner to capture images of your teeth and bite. The scan is sent to the laboratory to fabricate your sleep apnea oral appliance.
Step 5: Try- in Visit – The lab will take approximately 2 weeks to fabricate your appliance. When it is ready, pop on by our Chelsea, NYC dental office. Dr. Bracy will make sure the appliance fits and give you instructions on how to use it.
Step 6: Follow-up Visits – Don’t disappear after you get your dentist sleep apnea appliance! Thorough and consistent follow up with Keith Bracy, DDS and your physician to ensure your appliance is working and treating your dental sleep condition and snoring. The appliances need to be adjusted and calibrated to achieve the maximum benefit.
Stop snoring! Treat your sleep apnea and get started with a dental sleep oral appliance today. Keith Bracy, DDS is waiting for your call at 212-390-8399. You’ll be all smiles after you come to our caring dental office on west 12th street.
Yes, we have a dedicated medical billing specialist that will handle your medical insurance claim for your sleep apnea oral appliance. Currently, dental insurance carriers do not provide coverage for sleep apnea oral appliances. Before you begin fabrication of your sleep apnea appliance at Keith Bracy, DDS we are happy to run a pre-authorization of your medical insurance for treatment. Medical insurance coverage varies for sleep apnea oral appliances, but we are happy to help you get the most coverage. We will even ask your medical insurance company if they will extend in-network rates for your sleep apnea oral appliance. It is not possible for a dentist to be “in-network” with a medical insurance carrier, but often times we can seek an exception.
Visit our West Village dental office, and we can let you know the information your medical insurance carrier will require to pay for your sleep apnea appliance at our dental office. Usually all we need is your medical insurance card, a referral for the appliance from your physician, copy of your sleep study, Epworth sleepiness scale (a quick questionnaire to gauge your sleeping quality), and a signed affidavit stating you have tried CPAP therapy and are intolerant. It might sound like a daunting list to put together to get medical coverage for your sleep apnea appliance, but we have a billing specialist that can assist you.
Sleep apnea oral appliance therapy is used to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea, also known as “OSA”. Only your doctor can diagnose you with sleep apnea, but your dentist can fabricate you with an oral appliance for treatment. A sleep study is necessary for the diagnosis and CPAP therapy is the most common mode of treatment. CPAP therapy consists of a mask work at night that provides positive pressure on your airway to keep it open. Many patients cannot tolerate the mask and find it cumbersome or difficult to sleep with. If you are intolerant to CPAP therapy, ask us or your physician about oral appliances for treatment. We are happy to discuss the benefits of sleep apnea oral appliance therapy in our West Village dental office. Call Dr. Bracy at 212-390-8399 for more information.
Meet Our Doctor:
Keith Bracy DDS
Dentist
Dr. Bracy graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Economics. He completed his Post-baccalaureate Premedical Certificate at New York University and went on to earn his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine. He was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society upon graduation. For his postdoctoral residency training, he completed the General Practice Residency at the Manhattan Veterans Affairs Hospital.
During his training, Dr. Bracy was awarded the National Hispanic Health Foundation Professional Student Scholarship and Pierre Fauchard ...
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