A dental appliance is a small plastic device, similar to an orthodontic retainer or an athletic mouthguard. It is worn in the mouth during sleep to prevent thesoft throat tissue from collapsing and obstructing the airway. A small key is used by the patient to adjust the appliance. Dentists with training in dental appliance therapy can design, construct and fit these special appliances to meet their patients' situations and conditions. Clinical studies have found that such a dental appliance will effectively reduce or eliminate snoring, and significantly relieve symptoms of mild and moderate and even severeobstructive sleep apnea.
Your
snoring may be a warning!
Although snoring itself is physically harmless, it could be a "fire
alarm" for a serious medical condition, OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA.
With sleep apnea, the tongue is sucked completely against the back
of the throat. Once the airway is blocked, breathing stops. The harder
the sleeper tries to breathe, the tighter the airway seal becomes. The
airway is then like a straw stuck in a lump of ice cream, the greater
the suction, the flatter the "straw" becomes. This airway
obstruction lasts until the brains's oxygen level falls enough to partially
awaken the sleeper. The tongue then returns to a more normal position,
and with a loud gasp or snore, the airway seal is broken.
Because of sleep interruptions and lowered oxygen levels, one who suffers
from sleep apnea frequently feels chronically fatigued and is more accident
prone. Other physical disorders linked to snoring include morning headaches,
high blood pressure, gastric reflux and heart problems.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND that SLEEP
APNEA is a SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEM, so serious, in fact that
if undetected, IT CAN BE FATAL.
Should you
be concerned?
Do you snore loudly each night?
Does your snoring stop and then resume suddenly with a gasp?
Do you feel tired during the day?
Do you snore whether sleeping on your side or back?
Do you wake with morning headaches?
Do you have high blood pressure?
Do you have heartburn or gastric reflux?
If you answered "yes" to some or all of these screening questions,
you should seek further evaluation of your snoring and possible sleep
apnea.
For more information on oral appliance therapy for snoring or to make
an appointment please visit our sections on
