Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder where breathing stops and starts during sleep. An individual may have Sleep Apnea if they snore loudly, feel tired, or have a loss of focus, or have persistent irritability even after a “normal” night’s sleep.
The most common form of Sleep Apnea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a condition when breathing stops 10 seconds or longer and occurs when throat muscles relax. If left untreated, OSA has been linked to serious medical conditions such as heart disease; high blood pressure; diabetes and progressive brain damage.
Diagnosis and solutions for OSA
Medical experts diagnose OSA by having a sleep study done at a sleep center or hospital sleep lab. A sleep study is a non-invasive, overnight exam that allows doctors to monitor the patient while they sleep to see the activity in their brain and body.
The good news is there are solutions for those who have been diagnosed with Snoring or Obstructive Sleep Apnea that are non-surgical and have success alleviating the problem. A commonly used device is a CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). A CPAP keeps nasal passages open during sleep. Unfortunately, many people are unable to tolerate the CPAP machine for the following reasons:
Ongoing noise of the CPAP machine making it difficult to sleep
The facial mask causing a claustrophobic effect
The movement of the facial mask while trying to sleep
The constant flow of moist air causing discomfort to a person’s lungs
The machine’s apparatus being cumbersome when traveling
NC Prosthodontic Specialists have expertise with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring solutions. As Prosthodontists, we have developed an effective, less evasive oral appliance that many say, is more comfortable than a CPAP machine.
The OSA and Snoring Appliance, is an oral device that repositions the mandible (lower jawbone) forward allowing an open passageway for the throat while sleeping. As a result, it provides the patient with an ample breathing capacity that allow uninterrupted sleep and eliminates snoring.
Generally, the fabrication of this OSA and Snoring appliance requires three major steps:
1 – A consultation between the Prosthodontist and the patient discussing the symptoms and reviewing their sleep study results. Impressions are taken of the patient’s upper and lower jaw in an effort to customize the device for a more comfortable and secure fit.
2 – The delivery of the OSA and Snoring appliance. The doctors refine the positioning of the appliance in the patient’s mouth assuring comfort and efficiency.
3 – A follow-up after the patient has used the OSA and Snoring appliance for approximately two to three months.
Patient’s rave about the improvement of their quality of life and increased energy level due to a good night’s rest with uninterrupted sleep after using their OSA and Snoring Appliance!
Schedule a consultation
Come into our office to discuss if Sleep Apnea & Snoring is the right treatment for your unique situation.
