Does your partner’s rumbling snore keep you awake at night? Do you hear them stop breathing or gasp for air in their sleep? What you may think is just an irritating sleep habit may in fact be a serious medical condition called Sleep Apnea.
Sleep Apnea:
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects more than twelve million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. Untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, other cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, and headaches. Untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for job impairment and motor vehicle crashes. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated.
Treatment:
Four years ago I became involved with the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). As I observed and trained it became apparent to me that there were few treatment options and most had limited success. So I set out to find the best method of helping people with this condition. I found I could believe in two treatment approaches. The CPAP and the dental appliance.
CPAP:
The CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) machine is the most effective treatment. It delivers pressurized air forcing the patient’s obstructed airway to open and allow airflow to the lungs ensuring the patient maintains healthy oxygen levels throughout their sleep.
Unfortunately, many patient’s reject the CPAP because of it’s awkwardness. Many patient’s find the face mask claustrophobic or the constant sound of the motor disturbing. Spouses complain of air leaking from the mask blowing in their faces. All too often the patient’s CPAP machine goes into the nether-reaches of a closet and is long forgotten.
Dental Appliances:
While CPAP remains my first choice of treatment, there is an alternative for those who cannot tolerate the machine. Using a small dental appliance that looks similar to an orthodontic retainer, sleep apnea can be dramatically reduced.
Traditional Dental Appliances:
In past, dental appliances were only moderately effective, if at all. The primary action of the appliance was moving the lower jaw, forward forcing the airway open. This approach not only led to limited results but also potential irritation of the TM joint (a delicate jaw joint located in the ear area). I reviewed all the appliances available and discarded them as feasible treatment options. The risks vs. benefit just wasn’t acceptable for my patients.
New Research and Dental Appliance Breakthrough:
New clinical research is showing that the key to mild and moderate OSA is the tongue. As the body relaxes the tongue falls back and blocks the airway, causing the upper airway to collapse.Armed with this information I went searching for an appliance that would address the issue of the tongue and I found it. A new design that was so unique it earned it’s own patent and so effective it received FDA approval for OSA treatment. It is the only design I have found that successfully targets the tongue and only minimally moves the jaw. More benefits with lower risks. Today I am treating my OSA patients with fantastic success!
Complete Treatment Facility:
After watching and studying the field, I decided to dedicate my career to helping patients with OSA by creating a comprehensive treatment center. In a combined office setting we have a certified sleep study center, a CPAP distributor and customized dental appliance (CPAP Alternative) treatment program.
