Our Services
Snoring / Sleep Apnea
Do you or a loved one suffer from one of the following?
- Nightly or near-nightly snoring
- Choking, gasping, or snorting during sleep
- Daytime drowsiness regardless of the number of hours slept
- Long pauses in breathing
- Headaches upon waking
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
- Frequent visits to the bathroom throughout the night
- Poor, fitful, or restless sleep
- Depression, irritability, or moodiness
- Feeling out of breath upon waking
- Memory impairment and difficulty focusing
- Insomnia
If you answered yes to many of these symptoms you may be suffering from sleep Apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition in which sufferers stop breathing momentarily during sleep. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by the over-relaxation of the soft tissues in the back of the throat. This obstructs the airway, inducing snoring and the temporary cessation of breathing.
We now offer an oral appliance therapy, non-invasive, effective alternative for patients who are non-compliant with traditional CPAP treatment. Studies show that roughly half of patients find the CPAP masks to be too uncomfortable to use. Compliance seems to be higher among patients treated with fitted dental devices that are put in place before going to bed. This oral appliance holds the lower jaw forward and slightly open to help maintain an open airway, reducing snoring and apneas. Appliances are appropriate for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine states that oral appliances may serve as an alternative to patients who prefer them to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, or who do not respond to, are not appropriate candidates for, or fail treatment attempts with CPAP. Severe apnea patients can wear CPAP in conjunction with an oral appliance to dramatically reduce the air pressure flow, making CPAP much more effective, comfortable, and tolerable.
Our office follows the guidelines of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) for the treatment of oral appliances in Obstructive Sleep Apnea and snoring management. We are devoted to the well-being of our patients and enjoy working with primary care physicians and sleep specialists. In most cases, the patient is covered through their medical insurance or Medicare. Your sleep study can be done in the comfort of your own bed at home without going to a dental sleep lab.
Once a decision is made as to which oral appliance therapy is the right option for you, we will select from several comfortable and long-lasting appliances tailored to your specific needs. We will monitor your progress on a yearly basis to maintain proper fit and effectiveness. You can look forward to years of improved health and sleep.