Sleep Apnea

A common and potentially serious disorder in which breathing is disrupted during sleep with repeatedly stops and starts.  Although sleep apnea is treatable, it often goes unrecognized.

 

Sleep apnea affects the way you breathe when you’re sleeping. In untreated sleep apnea, breathing is briefly interrupted or becomes very shallow during sleep. These breathing pauses typically last between 10 to 20 seconds and can occur up to hundreds of times a night, jolting you out of your natural sleep rhythm. As a consequence, you spend more time in light sleep and less time in the deep, restorative sleep you need to be energetic, sharp, and productive.

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There are several treatment options for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea appliances are custom made using a plastic-like mold to form to the specific shape of the patient’s teeth and mouth. Not only do they work against sleep apnea, they are also effective to stop snoring.

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Custom sleep apnea appliances are very effective in sleep apnea patients who have mild or moderate sleep apnea and can even be used in patients with severe sleep apnea. They are often used as a substitute for CPAP or sleep apnea oral surgery.

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A sleep study is highly advised in order for the appropriate appliance to be recommended. It is extremely important that your doctor or dentist approve the appliance, as many of the over-the-internet ‘boil and bite’ mouth pieces for sleep apnea are not effective.