Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Snoring is the sound of partially obstructed breathing during sleep. Snoring can be harmless or it can also be an indicator of a more serious medical condition known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Obstructive Sleep Apnea generally occurs during sleep. The tongue and soft palate collapse onto the back of the throat and completely block the airway which temporarily stops one's breathing. Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) occurs about midway between regular snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. People with UARS suffer many of the symptoms of OSA and require special sleep testing techniques for diagnosis.
Corrective Measures for Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea OSA
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) - is a treatment that uses mild air pressure to keep the airways open. CPAP is effective for many people who have breathing problems, like sleep apnea. CPAP is administered wearing a CPAP mask over the nose and mouth and the CPAP machine that provides air pressure through the sleep cycle.
- Surgery - is a limited solution and effective when excess tissue can be removed. Tonsil removal surgery may be indicated when enlarged and blocking the airway contributing to OSA. Other surgeries include more complex procedures including jaw advancement.
- Oral appliances are worn during sleep to manipulate the position of the jaw, holding open the airway and thus preventing sleep breathing disorders like snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances are the least invasive and highly effective corrective devices for stopping snoring and OSA. There are over seventy different oral appliance on the market.
Tongue Restraining Appliance - works by a suction mechanism that holds the tongue forward and keeps the back of the tongue from obstructing the airway.
Mandibular (Jaw) Repositioning Appliance - holds the jaw in position so that it does not move back toward the throat. Indirectly, the tongue is also held forward enough so that it cannot block the airway.
Our custom-made oral appliances are computer-designed to be the most highly effective oral appliances. Through our Sleep Apnea Advanced Diagnostics and Treatment process, we identify the exact jaw position where OSA occurs and custom design your oral appliance for a comfortable fit that works to stop both snoring and OSA.