Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and you feel tired even after a full night's sleep.
Snoring is the most common sign of sleep apnea.  Your spouse or roommate can tell you if you snore or you may wake up gasping for air.  

There are other signs of sleep apnea that occur when you’re awake.  Daytime symptoms include mouth breathing, poor concentration, decreased performance at school or work, and daytime drowsiness.

If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a growing number of health problems including high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and other heart related health problems.

In addition, untreated sleep apnea can be responsible for poor performance in everyday activities, as well as academic underachievement in children and adolescents.

Severe sleep apnea is treated by a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).  An air compressor and mask delivers pressurized air through the nose when a person is sleeping.  With this method, the biggest obstacle is compliance.  People feel claustrophobic and others find wearing the mask to be offensive.  The strap of the mask worn around the head may even cause headaches.  

Moderate sleep apnea can be treated using a much more comfortable alternative.  A customized night guard called the SomnoDent is created for your specific bite and actually positions your jaw in such a way that it opens up your airway.  This allows more oxygen to enter your body and prevents or minimizes symptoms of sleep apnea.

With the SomnoDent you’re not restricted to sleeping in only one position and you’re much more likely to use it, which is the main aspect of successful treatment. 

At Dream Smile Dental, we are sleep apnea dentists. Contact us for a consultation.

Obstructive sleep apnea, often just called sleep apnea or OSA for short, is a serious sleeping disorder that disturbs your normal breathing during sleep. This is caused by a blockage in your airway caused by the soft tissue in your throat "over-relaxing” while you sleep.

CPAP for Sleep Apnea

Presently, one of the most common sleep apnea “cures” is CPAP, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP delivers continuous air to your upper airway keeping it open and unblocked throughout the night for a deep and restful sleep. The airflow is created through a sleep apnea machine, and it is delivered to the airway by a sleep apnea mask. These masks come in 3 different styles and are worn all night while sleeping.
 
All sleep apnea masks take some getting used to. In fact, there are many people who are not interested in this solution. For many, sleeping with a machine while wearing a mask is not an option. Like any treatment, it does not work if you don’t comply. Many people feel claustrophobic wearing the mask and others find wearing the mask offensive.  Often times, the strap of the mask can cause headaches.

A Better, Alternative Sleep Apnea Cure

Moderate sleep apnea can be treated using a much more comfortable alternative.  The SomnoDent MAS, or Mandibular Advancement Splint, is a clinically proven treatment for sleep apnea. The SomnoDent treats mild and moderate cases of sleep apnea by moving the lower jaw slightly forward. This customized night guard actually positions your jaw to open up your airway.  It tightens the muscles and soft tissue of the upper airway, preventing blockage during sleep, allowing more oxygen to enter your body and preventing or minimizing symptoms of sleep apnea. The SomnoDent also prevents the tissues of the airway from vibrating as air passes over them which is one of the main causes of snoring.

The Somnodent is a customized medical dental appliance created for your specific bite. It is more comfortable and effective, and with the SomnoDent you’re not restricted to sleeping in only one position. Best of all, you’re much more likely to use it, which is the main aspect of successful treatment.  
 

Snoring can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea and is a noise created by the partial blocking of the airway. When you fall asleep your muscles relax, including those that control the tongue and throat. The soft tissue at the back of your throat can sag, narrowing the air passage. Incoming air then makes the tissue at the rear roof of the mouth, the uvula, and the throat vibrate: a sound we know as snoring.

Moderate sleep apnea can be treated using multiple methods. However, studies have shown positive results with the use of a dental sleep apnea device with regular follow up visits may be a long term solution for sleep apnea sufferers. A customized night guard called the SomnoDent is created for your specific bite and actually positions your jaw in such a way that it opens up your airway. This allows more oxygen to enter your body and prevents or minimizes symptoms of sleep apnea.

The SomnoDent also prevents the tissues of the upper airway from vibrating as air passes over them, which is one of the main causes of snoring. This is a custom made medical dental appliance by combining a number of key design features which represent vast improvements on existing snoring appliances. SomnoDent has been reported to be a more comfortable and effective sleep apnea appliance. With the SomnoDent you’re not restricted to sleeping in only one position and you’re much more likely to use it, which is the main aspect of successful treatment. Feel free to contact us to learn more about sleep apnea and be sure to schedule your next appointment with us.