What Is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder that occurs when the airway becomes partially or fully blocked during sleep. These breathing interruptions can reduce oxygen levels, disrupt deep sleep, and place stress on the body.
A dentist does not diagnose sleep apnea alone. A medical diagnosis typically requires a sleep study interpreted by a qualified medical provider. At Aesthetic Smiles, our role is to screen for signs of possible sleep-disordered breathing, educate patients, coordinate sleep study testing when needed, and provide dental treatment options when appropriate.
Common signs of sleep-disordered breathing
- Loud or frequent snoring
- Waking up tired despite a full night of sleep
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth upon waking
- Clenching or grinding
- Jaw soreness in the morning
- TMJ symptoms
- Tooth wear or cracked teeth
- Daytime fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Restless sleep
- Waking up gasping or choking
- Mouth breathing
- Narrow arches or crowded teeth
- History of orthodontic relapse
- Facial or jaw development concerns
Sleep study coordination
If your symptoms suggest possible sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing, a sleep study may be recommended. A sleep study helps evaluate breathing patterns, oxygen levels, sleep interruptions, and other important health indicators during sleep.
Aesthetic Smiles can help coordinate sleep study testing for appropriate patients and work with medical providers involved in diagnosis and treatment planning. This step is important because snoring and sleep apnea are not the same.
What Patients Say After Their First Diagnosis
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She made sure I would walk away with a future for healthy gums and a better smile.Mindy Martyn
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Great staff and Dr. Tennant is knowledgeable, empathetic, approachable, and relatable.Craig Zanon
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My treatment here made a big difference in my overall quality of life.Ritika Saripalli
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Molly is exceptional. She has a gentle, painless touch in her work and is a pleasure to work with.Mitra & Adam
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The staff is so nice.Shari Young
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Very friendly and professional. They always do good work.John Blyler
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The inlays she created to take in and out so you can correct your bite are cutting-edge technology.Judy Masterson
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Their holistic view of health and attention to detail set me at ease, giving confidence I am receiving the best care possible.insyte Counseling
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After a few years of work I can breathe better, I no longer get jaw pain and my teeth are straight.Samantha Alt
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Great staff and great services.Madison Maixner
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The knowledge and capabilities they possess, along with their eagerness to help, make for great treatment!ClDl SolshineGrowing
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Always the best and fun too, but still very professional.Matt Voegtle
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He is a fantastic dentist and we feel fortunate to have a person of his caliber to address all of our dental needs.Robert Kendall
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I trust him and do not hesitate in recommending him.Jim and Patti Herrington
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We adore Amy! She is the best dentist EVER!Silvia de Puky
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Always the best of professional service.Joe Glomboski
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Seriously, this is the best dentist ever! They are beyond thorough, competent, and friendly.Suzie Gannett
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They make going to the dentist a pleasure.Joanne Moutoux
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I can not say enough good things about Dr. Motlagh and her entire staff.Jackie Snook
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Very relaxing environment and quality job.Stephen Fenzi
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I was amazed from the first minute I walked in how relaxed, easy, and happy everyone was, from Jenny the receptionist to Dr. Mortensen himself!kit sutherland
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The staff was wonderful and Dr. Amy Stratton repaired my tooth and the procedure was painless.Tomas Aljama
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I stick with Dr. Mortensen because he and his staff are so great.Dan Sapienza
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I had weekly headaches until I had an orthotic fitted. They went away!Evan Komp
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They do a great job.Laurie King
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The treatment is non-invasive, using the latest technology.Miriam M
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So passionate about their work and create a caring and comforting atmosphere!Rachel Arnold
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This is the best experience I have ever had with a dentist and dental practice!Emma Kintz
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Her and her staff do an amazing job and are very caring!wanda briggs
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Caring and professional group!Eric Kaczmarek
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The quality of work, atmosphere, amenities, and staff are as good as it gets.Dick Capello
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Their standards of care are extremely high and the final result always exceptional.Greg Pressler
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They regained my trust in dentistry and I look forward to my appointments now.Jamie Nadherny
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They are absolutely wonderful and make you feel very comfortable.Corie Parker
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They make you feel so comfortable and make your experience a pleasant one every time!Vanessa Benedetti
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Even after moving across town I come to Aesthetic Smiles, her work is impeccable.Kelly Rees
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When I left, I felt like I was much more informed and prepared for my dental future.Lyndsay Gomez
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They are helpful, thoughtful, attentive, and they listen to you!C Loescher
Professional Partnerships
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Airway Health Solutions -
Myoaligner -
LVI -
VIVOS -
International College of Cranio-Mandibular Orthopedics (ICCMO)