TREATMENT INFO

So You Want To Stop Snoring?

Is there anything more aggravating than being kept awake night after night by a bed partner who snores? There are those who snore so loudly that they can be heard several rooms away through multiple closed doors. While this is a source of concern for those around the person snoring, consider the major problems for the snorer.

A condition known as sleep apnea often accompanies snoring. There is actually a lack of breathing which results in depriving the brain of oxygen. This lack of oxygen can lead to heart attacks, stroke and death, at worst- drowsiness, memory loss and overall lack of energy, at best.

The more you “sleep”, the more tired you become. Studies have shown that fatigue-related automobile and commercial truck accidents directly relate to snoring/sleep apnea. This entire area has not, until recently, been studied to any great extent.

Snoring is often curable by wearing a special dental device which holds the lower jaw forward during sleep. Well over 90% of those who wear this appliance, which we design specifically for them, stop snoring.

The more serious problem of sleep apnea is also corrected by the same device approximately 65% of the time. For those who are not corrected by this method, there are alternatives such as the following:

· C.P.A.P. – A breathing device attached to the face during sleep

· Soft palate surgery

· Maxillo-facial surgery AND Orthodontics

An important distinction should be recognized: Snoring by itself is easily treated and needs no medical workup. Snoring/sleep apnea is potentially life threatening and should be diagnosed through history and sleep studies before treatment is undertaken.

The area in which our practice deals specifically is the use of special dental devices available which have had a positive effect on reducing snoring.

I choose a sophisticated yet easy to wear device which has corrected snoring in all but two of our patients. A fitting for this appliance includes the following:

- Examination

- Impressions of the mouth

- Measurements of the jaw's hinge movements (10 easy minutes)

- Sending the prescription to a laboratory where a technician fabricates the device.

- Placement and instructions for proper use of your anti-snoring device.

The time necessary to make the device is approximately two and a half weeks. If you have any questions or concerns about this important subject, give our office a call.