Serving Santa Clarita and Valencia with Sleep Apnea, TMJ, and Snoring Treatments

Our unconscious actions during sleep can result in pain, drowsiness, and even serious health risks when we awake. It can be difficult to recognize and deal with these symptoms because their underlying causes occur when we are unconscious. A qualified medical professional can diagnose and treat them if given the opportunity. At his Valencia practice in the community of Santa Clarita, cosmetic dentist Alexander Villar has spent the last 10 years treating cases of sleep apnea, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder, and excessive snoring in addition to his daily work with comprehensive aesthetic and general dentistry, which includes such treatments as porcelain veneers and dental implants. He also employs Invisalign® orthodontics to help those with misaligned teeth. Using state-of-the-art treatment techniques, Dr. Alexander Villar seeks to restore all of his patients to soundness of health in both their sleeping and waking states.

• Sleep Apnea
• Temporomandibular Joint ( TMJ) Disorder
• Snoring

Sleep Apnea

Do you wake up feeling unrested?

While sleep apnea—significant disruption in breathing during sleep—affects the majority of the population to some extent, in rare cases it can deprive the sufferer of sufficient deep sleep and place dangerous strain on the heart. Sleep apnea results from two very different sources: in central sleep apnea, the brain becomes so relaxed during sleep that it neglects to tell the lungs to breathe for a period, while in obstructed sleep apnea, the body's airway becomes partially or completely blocked. The latter type is much more common, and Dr. Villar has the means to treat it.

At Dr. Villar's practice in the Santa Clarita community of Valencia, we understand the ongoing frustration and anxiety of sleep apnea victims. Many patients feel confused, unable to determine the reason they cannot get a good night's rest. As a result, they feel foggy and tired when they awake, despite having gotten many hours of sleep. Fortunately, once the sleep apnea condition is identified, it can be treated. Dr. Villar is very experienced with addressing sleep apnea via mandibular repositioning devices (MRDs) — custom-fitted teeth guards that move the lower jaw forward to keep the airway clear during sleep — including the UCLA modified Herbst®.

This treatment does not involve invasive surgery and has a good record of success in cases of mild to moderate sleep apnea. Whatever course of treatment is decided upon, Dr. Villar's Santa Clarita and Valencia area office can help those who suffer from sleep apnea to get the restful, soothing sleep they need. Contact Dr. Villar's cosmetic dentistry practice for further information today.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder

Have you ever experienced mysterious pain upon waking?

Do you often have unexplained back, shoulder, or ear pain? Do your ears ring at times? Does your jaw click or pop in a disturbing fashion when you open your mouth wide? Do you sometimes have difficulty or pain in opening your mouth? All of these phenomena can be signs of TMJ disorder, as well as wearing of the teeth. The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is the hinge that connects the jawbone (mandible) to the rest of the skull, just below and in front of the ear on either side of the face. Often patients are unaware that their problems, which may seem unrelated, are the result of issues with how their teeth fit together, causing pain to the ear, neck, and muscles of mastication. Bruxing (grinding teeth) while asleep can, in rare cases, be the cause of problems with the TMJ.

A number of treatment options are available at Dr. Alexander Villar's office in the Valencia community of Santa Clarita for sufferers of TMJ disorder. Custom-fitted maxillary splints, which can help reposition the mouth to ease strain on the jaw or simply negate the effects of teeth grinding at night, are a common and essentially painless method of alleviating many of the symptoms of TMJ disorder. If necessary, Dr. Villar can also use a deprogrammer appliance that will allow proper alignment of the jaw. You should experience virtually complete pain relief within days. This treatment is then followed up by using other dental procedures to make the new alignment permanent.

In some cases of TMJ, BOTOX® injections can be used to ease the pain and other symptoms of the condition. Dr. Villar has received special training in this application of the BOTOX® product. Because BOTOX® injections can be used to make overly tense muscles relax, they can help prevent the clenching of the jaw that leads to the discomfort and soreness associated with TMJ. Whatever is required, Dr. Villar is eager to help you overcome this condition. Contact his office in the Valencia and Santa Clarita area today to learn more about TMJ disorder and how you can manage it.

Snoring

Do you sometimes wake yourself up in the night?

Like sleep apnea, snoring affects most everyone to some extent and is often caused by some type of blockage in the breathing passage. Indeed, snoring can even be a symptom of sleep apnea. Sometimes, snoring is the result of temporary issues like sinus blockage caused by the common cold, but it can also be a sign of more deep-rooted conditions. While it is not a life-threatening problem, it can greatly impair the well-being of both the sufferer and his or her loved ones. Snoring can trouble the sleep of the snorer and anyone resting in close proximity, leading to feelings of drowsiness and irritation upon waking. Even when sleep quality is not significantly affected, it can be disruptive to those around.

While one often hears people say "I'm a snorer" as if the problem is permanent and ingrained in their DNA, snoring is a condition that can be overcome. Many treatment options exist, and Dr. Villar prides himself on making them available to his patients in Santa Clarita, Valencia, and throughout Los Angeles. Snoring can be dealt with in some cases by learning to sleep in a different position, but can also require major lifestyle changes such as losing weight or quitting smoking. For those with severe cases that require mouth guards for jaw repositioning, Dr. Villar's practice may be able to offer some much-needed help.

If you commonly feel drowsy even after sleeping long hours at night, contact the office of Dr. Villar in the Santa Clarita community of Valencia today to find out if sleep apnea, TMJ disorder, or snoring treatments can help you.

Patients in Valencia and the surrounding Santa Clarita area who suffer from sleep apnea, TMJ disorder, or excessive snoring are encouraged to contact Dr. Alexander Villar for help today.

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Alexander Villar DDS
23300 Cinema Dr. Suite #230
Valencia, California 91355

Ph. 866.500.3899
Fx. 661.254.0229