Sleep Apnea Treatment with Oral Appliance Therapy

 

Sleep apnea can be characterized by repeated pauses in your breathing while asleep.

Dr. Davidson is a sleep dentist. This means he is trained and qualified to assess and treat patients for sleep apnea. As treatment for sleep apnea he fits his sleep apnea patients with an FDA cleared, customized, adjustable oral appliance.

Dr. Davidson is a qualified sleep dentist.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has concluded that Oral Appliance Therapy should be the first line of treatment for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. They recommend CPAP therapy for more severe cases and Oral Appliance Therapy for people who are CPAP intolerant.

Dr. Davidson has been at the forefront of technology throughout his career. He has his own lab on the practice premises and employs the latest technology. He is a teacher of other dentist and very experienced. He will ensure that you get the treatment right for you and that if you undertake Oral Appliance Therapy, that your appliance is fitted exactly right.

Sleep Apnea Treatment with Oral Appliance Therapy

Once your condition is diagnosed, Dr. Davidson will determine the best therapy option. This may include custom-made sleep appliances which can greatly reduce snoring and are an effective alternative to CPAP.

The CPAP can be very uncomfortable and require extra effort in making it work for you. Some of the disadvantages to having a CPAP are claustrophobia, nasal congestion, poorly fitted mask, headaches, pressure, too noisy and tube interference.

We use FDA cleared, customized, adjustable oral appliances called Mandibular [relating to the lower jaw] Repositioning Appliances (MRAs). They are small devices that treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, worn in the mouth, similar to retainers.

How do Sleep Apnea appliances work?

In simple terms, the oral appliances work by moving the lower jaw (and tongue) forward and slightly open while you sleep. This movement tightens the soft tissue and muscles of the upper airway, and keeps the tongue from collapsing into the airway, thus preventing most obstruction during sleep.

The appliances also prevent the tissues of the upper airway from vibrating as air passes over them, which is the major source of snoring. After a complete diagnosis, Dr. Davidson will recommend the oral appliance that is right for you.

The SomnaDent oral appliance is one of the oral appliances Dr. Davidson can recommend based on your diagnosis.

Above left you can see (to the right of the x-ray) the airway of the mouth is clenched shut. In the right x-ray, you can see the airway open as a result of the Oral Appliance.

Do you snore, gasp or choke at night? It may be a serious condition called Sleep Apnea

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common but potentially dangerous sleep condition which can be characterized by repeated pauses in your breathing while asleep. These pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes and can occur thirty or more times per hour.

Moments of sleep apnea usually stop with a loud snort, snore or choking sound which can often momentarily wake you up which will then cause regular breathing to resume. The severity of this condition can be minor and lead up to a more serious situation

Risk factors of Sleep Apnea:

• National Insurance Institute reports that someone suffering from a sleep-disturbing breathing condition (snoring or OSA) is 8 times more likely to cause an automobile accident.
• Severe sleep apnea raises your risk of early death by 300%
• Roughly half of the people who have hypertension also suffer from OSA.
• A sleep apnea sufferer’s repeated cessation of breath puts a tremendous strain on heart and lungs which increases one’s risk of stroke ten-fold.
• Someone with sleep apnea’s lack of quality sleep places them at risk for serious health issues including: diabetes, hypertension, stroke and cardiovascular disease.
• Approximately 40% of people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are clinically defined as obese
• The interrupted sleep associated with OSA causes a spike in blood sugar levels, which explains why 60% of people with type 2 diabetes also have apnea.
• An article published in March, 2008 stated that loud snorers had 40% greater odds of having hypertension, 34 % greater odds of having a heart attack and 67% greater odds of having a stroke than people who did not snore.
• A report from the University of California School of Dentistry found that 21% of men who snore had hardened blockages in there carotid arteries

Do you have Sleep Apnea? Symptoms may include:

• Loud, excessive snoring
• Excessive daytime sleepiness (falling asleep at inappropriate times)
• High blood pressure
• Memory problems
• Morning headaches
• Feeling of depression
• Gastro-esophageal reflux (heartburn)
• Impotence
• Nocturia (frequent night time urination)
• Weight gain
• Limited attention
• Lethargy
• Poor judgment
• Personality issues
• Hyperactivity, especially in children

For a free Sleep Test and consultation, call 330.467.6067 or Click here to book online