Snoring Solutions
Two of the newest and most exciting services we offer are snore guards and sleep apnea devices. These are custom fit trays that you wear at night to reposition your lower jaw to eliminate snoring or apnea. If you have someone who wishes you didn't snore and keep them up during the night, a snore guard might be just what you need. If you've had a sleep study and been diagnosed with sleep apnea, an anti-apnea device will be just what the Dr. ordered.
Most of the patients we make an apnea device for already use a CPAP machine and hate it. It's noisy and uncomfortable, not to mention a pain to lug around on trips. Patients who have switched to an apnea device absolutely LOVE them. If you've been diagnose with apnea and hate your CPAP, we now have a wonderful alternative for you. Ask about it at your next visit!
Why should you treat your Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. A sufferer can completely stop breathing numerous times per hour, and this can quickly turn into a deadly situation. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissue lying at the back of the patient’s throat collapses into the airway. The tongue then falls towards the back of the throat which tightens the blockage and prevents oxygen from entering the lungs.
The problem worsens when the chest region, diaphragm, and abdomen fight for air. The efforts they make to obtain vital oxygen only cause a further tightening of the blockage. The patient must arouse from deep sleep to tense the tongue and remove the soft tissue from the airway.
Dental Appliances for Sleep Apnea: A Comfortable Alternative
Dental appliances offer a comfortable alternative to CPAP machines for treating sleep apnea. These custom-made devices gently reposition your jaw to keep your airway open while you sleep.
Sleep apnea appliances fall into two categories: fixed and adjustable. Here are brief descriptions of some commonly used sleep apnea dental appliances:
- TAP® 3: Comfortable and adjustable, this appliance fits like a sports mouthguard and allows for lip closure.
- OASYS Appliance: This device shifts your jawbone to open the airway and has an extension for easier nasal breathing.
- KlearwayTM Appliance: This adjustable appliance allows for micro-adjustments in jaw position for maximum comfort.
- Herbst Appliance: This appliance offers side-to-side movement and adjustability for mild to moderate sleep apnea.