TREATMENT OF SNORING AND/OR OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA)
Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) are both breathing disorders that occur during sleep due to narrowing or total closure of the airway. Snoring is a noise created by the partial closure of the airway and may often be no more problematic than the noise itself. However, consistent, loud, heavy snoring may be linked to Obstructive Sleep Apnea. OSA is a serious condition where the airway totally closes many times during the night and can significantly reduce oxygen levels in the body and disrupt sleep. In varying degrees, this can result in excessive daytime sleepiness, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and may be associated with an increased chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
Oral appliances may be helpful in the treatment of Snoring and Sleep Apnea. Those diagnosed with mild or moderate Sleep Apnea are better candidates for improvement with this therapy than those severely affected. Oral appliances are designed to assist breathing by keeping the tongue forward, thereby opening the airway space in the throat. Our office has been providing treatment of OSA by means of oral appliances for many years with excellent results.
Note: Any sleep-disordered breathing may potentially be a health risk. All individuals are advised to consult with their physician or sleep specialist for an accurate diagnosis of their condition before treatment can be started with oral appliances.