Beyond the Smile :: Sleep apnea
Sleep Apnea
Are you tired, stressed out and moody because of interrupted sleep? Sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing stops for periods of 10 seconds or longer, can interrupt the deep sleep that makes you feel rested.
When you stop breathing during sleep for 10 or more seconds, you have “apnea.” OSA, or obstructive sleep apnea, is one type of sleep apnea. Lack of adequate breath during sleep reduces your airflow, causing your brain to tell your body to wake up and breathe. In some cases, this causes you to only move into a lighter stage of sleep, while other times, you wake completely.
Many factors may contribute to airway blockage, from the size of passages and oral or airway structures, to swelling of passageways or position of the tongue. Disrupted deep sleep is dangerous and can affect your mood, your health and cause daytime sleepiness. The added stress and fatigue can cause lack of concentration, loss of memory and accidents in the workplace or while driving. Other health risks include high blood pressure and heart problems, and even a risk of premature death. Your sleep apnea may cause you to snore, disturbing your sleeping partner’s rest too.
A few tests can determine whether you suffer from OSA, and non-surgical therapies may alleviate your problem. Some patients may now wear dental appliances that reposition the tongue or mandible (lower jawbone). A Swedish study showed that the anterior mandibular positioning dental device (AMP) is actually more effective than surgical therapies. The same study stated that adverse health effects and appliance repairs were rare.
According to experts, sleep apnea is an under-diagnosed condition and more men than women suffer. If your sleeping partner says you snore or stop breathing while asleep, or if you experience daytime sleepiness, contact your Bluestone Dental team for a consultation. A sleep apnea device may improve your quality of life. It’s just another way your dentist can help you smile.
TAP Appliance
Eliminate snoring, sleep apnea, and more (instead of saying “more” here, you might consider saying something like “other sleep-related issues” or “other nighttime airway issues” as used below) with the TAP Appliance. Let Drs. Lauck and Corley custom design for you this two-piece appliance that fits securely over your upper and lower teeth as you sleep. The TAP appliance holds your lower jaw forward, opening your airway, and allowing you to breathe easier while you rest. Enjoy the flexibility of this adjustable device, giving you full control of your comfort. Experience a good night’s rest once again or for the very first time!
SomnoMed®
As you sleep, sometimes the soft tissue at the back of your throat relaxes and collapses, causing sleep apnea, snoring, and other nighttime airway issues. The SomnoMed fits like a sports mouthguard and holds your lower jaw slightly forward, tightening the tissue and preventing it from collapsing. Unlike other appliances, the SomnoMed gives you the freedom to move your jaw up and down without compromising the effectiveness of the device. Easily take a drink in the night, or choose to sleep with your mouth open or shut. The SomnoMed is comfortable and effective. Its great value to you is evident through the high quality and top comfort you will enjoy, as well as through its tremendous success rate, strong manufacturer’s warranty, and long life.
OASYS Oral/Nasal Airway System™
Don’t settle for sleepless nights and exhausted days. The OASYS Oral/Nasal Airway System solves sleep apnea and snoring by uniquely addressing two problem areas of the respiratory tract. Wear the OASYS appliance while you sleep, and reduce upper airway resistance in your nasal passage and airway blockage in your throat. The OASYS moves your lower jaw forward and opens your nasal passages for better breathing, while also guiding your tongue forward to enlarge your air passage. Trust a device that has been reviewed and approved by both the dental and the ENT divisions of the FDA.
