At the Laguna Hills Center for Sleep Apnea & CPAP Intolerance, you'll finally get the relief you need from snoring, restless nights of sleep, jaw pain, and other symptoms related to obstructive sleep apnea and TMJ disorders.
The Laguna Hills Center for Sleep Apnea & CPAP Intolerance is led by Dr. Angham (Ann) Abdulla, DDS, who is an American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine Diplomate and sleep dentist with over 25 years of experience. Over the years, she has treated thousands of patients throughout Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, and surrounding cities in South Orange County with diagnosed sleep apnea, CPAP intolerance, and/or TMJ disorders (TMD) with an excellent rate of success.
Dr. Abdulla is one of just a few dentists in Orange County who has received advanced training in using oral appliance therapy to treat sleep apnea and snoring. Additionally, having completed a TMJ and Orofacial Pain Mini-Residency at UCLA, she knows how to accurately diagnose TMJ disorders and use highly effective, holistic treatments to give her patients immediate and potentially permanent relief from jaw and TMJ-related pain. She is also a member of the International Association of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), a global network of dentists and health practitioners dedicated to scientifically researching and promoting biocompatible alternatives to traditional dental care.
Affecting an estimated 1 in 15 Americans, sleep apnea is a fairly common sleep disorder that can lead to serious health issues. Not only does sleep apnea prevent restful sleep, but it may also cause chronic high blood pressure, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Obstructive sleep apnea or OSA occurs when the airway to the lungs is blocked by the throat's soft tissue or the tongue, preventing normal breathing while sleeping. This causes patients to momentarily awaken and gasp for air every few minutes. This cycle can repeat itself several hundred times a night, preventing restful sleep. To help patients with OSA breathe better at night, they are often prescribed CPAP machine therapy.
According to some estimates, more than 50% of sleep apnea patients stop using their CPAP regularly or quit altogether after just three months, usually because it feels uncomfortable or cumbersome. To help those patients who prefer to use the CPAP machine but feel that their mask is ill-fitting, Dr. Abdulla will prepare a CPAP mask to fit your exact facial features to ensure a comfortable fit and no air leakage. For those who feel that they can't tolerate the CPAP machine, we provide an alternative solution that uses a custom-fitted oral device, similar to a mouth guard. The device prevents the tongue and other soft throat tissues from blocking the airway, eliminating the need for a CPAP. In some cases, the oral device can be used in conjunction with a CPAP machine to make it more effective at improving oxygen intake during sleep.
For those displaying symptoms for OSA but haven't received a formal diagnosis, Dr. Abdulla will provide all the information you need to get a reliable referral to a sleep disorder expert.
New research shows that there is a strong correlation between TMJ pain and sleep disorders. According to one study featured in the Journal of Dental Research, participants who displayed OSA symptoms had a 73% higher rate of TMJ disorders or TMD. Recognizing this association between the two disorders, Dr. Abdulla also offers her Orange County patients the latest, non-invasive TMD treatments.
Insomnia symptoms often include sleepless nights, chronic fatigue, low energy, and irritability, and can lead to more serious health concerns such as cortisonal hormonal imbalance and low grade inflammation. Unfortunately, the #1 prescribed medication for insomnia, Zolpidem, can lead to drug tolerance that renders it ineffective. For a more long-term solution to treat your insomnia, we use advanced integrative medicine that includes a combination of traditional pharmaceuticals, acupuncture, and aromatherapy for highly effective results.
Your lower jaw is a complex and hard-working set of muscles, discs, tendons, and bones designed to open and close smoothly and powerfully. Operating like a sliding hinge, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is capable of easy lateral and vertical motion when the jaw is correctly aligned. When the jaw structure is altered - through injury, progressive misalignment, unconscious teeth grinding, or jaw clenching - a variety of symptoms may arise that can cause minimal to major interference in your daily life. Symptoms include, pain around the jaw area, a "locking or popping" jaw, clicking, ringing or pain in the ear, and discomfort when chewing or moving your mouth.
Dr. Abdulla incorporates proven holistic treatments with the latest in dental sleep medicine to provide patients from Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, and surrounding cities throughout South Orange County with immediate relief from TMD and related issues. And, because she seeks to address the underlying causes of a patient's TMD, her personalized treatment plans offer long-lasting and usually permanent relief from TMJ pain.
The Laguna Hills Center for Sleep Apnea & CPAP Intolerance offers a no-charge consultation to new patients. During the consultation, we will gain an understanding of your symptoms and design a personalized treatment plan. Our highly effective sleep apnea and TMD treatments are covered by Medicare and most PPOs, and can qualify for CareCredit financing.
Call us today to schedule an appointment for specific dental issues, cosmetic dental care, or a routine check-up. As a SMART certified dentist, Dr. Abdulla is also qualified to perform safe amalgam filling removal, and offers mercury-free composite fillings as a non-toxic alternative to traditional metal fillings.
Because we know that dental offices can trigger anxiety and concern in many patients, one of our first priorities is to put you at ease. We welcome you to a relaxed and inviting environment, take time to answer your questions, and use the best techniques to keep you comfortable throughout your dental visit. Our warm and gentle approach is just one reason why our patients keep returning and are constantly referring their family and friends to us. We go the extra mile to brighten your smile – beginning with your first visit and continuing with every subsequent appointment.
Completed TMJ and Orofacial Pain Mini-Residency at UCLA School of Dentistry Dr. Abdullah has cared for my teeth for years. She is a highly skilled dentist, gentle and soft spoken. She and her staff ensure that any procedures are comfortable and pain free. She has made a bite guard to treat my teeth grinding, and customized it even further to make my dental care the best possible.
As a medical professional, I have contact with many patients under her care for sleep apnea. The high level of service and professionalism provided by Dr. Abdullah and her staff is truly exceptional.
Via 
