Snoring & Sleep Apnea
Snoring isn't just annoying, it can be deadly.
The sound you hear when someone snores is literally the sound of their airway collapsing. Snoring is the most noticeable sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a dangerous medical condition that restricts airflow during sleep.
When airflow is restricted during sleep can lead to short pauses in breathing called apneas. In severe cases these pauses can last as long as 30 seconds! Or as many as 30 times per hour!
Cutting off airflow during sleep deprives the brain of oxygen, which triggers the body to wake up and begin breathing again. This results in the sleep cycle being continually interrupted throughout the night, preventing the sleeper from getting restful sleep. This puts stress on the immune system and can lead to a range of other symptoms and conditions.
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
Loud snoring
Daytime sleepiness
Trouble concentrating
Forgetfulness
Depression
Feeling irritable
Night sweats
Restless sleep
Gasping for air
Headaches in AM
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea affects a staggering number of Americans: 1 in 5 adults has mild OSA and 1 in 15 has moderate to severe OSA1. As many as 60 million Americans could be living with undiagnosed OSA and not even know it. For those with sleep apnea, collapsed tissue within the throat obstructs the airway resulting in interrupted breathing during sleep.
Definition:
Pauses in breathing typically last 10 seconds
Severe cases may last up to 30 seconds
Loud snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea
Pauses can recur throughout the sleep cycle
May result in frequent awakenings and sleep fragmentation
Sleep apnea is commonly associated with other serious medical conditions like:
Obesity
Diabetes
Hypertension
Heart-failure
Stroke
AFib
Alzheimer’s
Depression
ADHD
If you already have one of these conditions, OSA can make it worse by placing additional stress on your body and immune system due to lack of restful sleep.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) uses a custom fitted dental appliance, similar to a retainer, to ensure unrestricted airflow during sleep. The device positions the lower jaw forward, which moves the base of the tongue slightly to ensure the airway remains open during sleep. The appliance fits in the palm of your hand, uses no power and has no hoses or pumps.
Do not mistake OAT with a drugstore snoreguard, which is not FDA cleared for treating OSA. Attempting to treat OSA with an unapproved device and not under the care of a trained professional could exacerbate the condition leading to potentially serious complications.
DreamSleep Certified
Our office has been DreamSleep Certified for treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea. DreamSleep is a national network of Dentists and Physicians working together to raise awareness and treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
How it works:
Schedule a screening at our office by filling out the form on the right
If the screening indicates you are at risk for OSA, we will arrange a Home Sleep Test
Sleep in your own bed while the device monitors your sleep
Results from the test are downloaded and sent to a board-certified Sleep Physician for review and diagnosis
If the physician recommends Oral Appliance Therapy, we will take impressions of your teeth and create a custom device for you
After the device is made, it may require adjustments to ensure optimal airflow
A follow up home sleep test is used to verify the device is working as intended
OSA is a medical condition, which means that it is covered under medical insurance, not dental insurance even though treatment is delivered by a dentist. As a courtesy, we will verify and file your claim with your medical insurance carrier; however, verification is only an explanation of benefits based upon information that we received from your insurance carrier. It is not a guarantee of payment. Please contact your insurance carrier directly to confirm your individual benefits for Oral Appliance Therapy.