Snoring and Sleep Apnea

In 2006, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine updated practice parameters to allow oral appliances (dental devices) as a first line of therapy for snoring, mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring has long been considered a social disease, bothering bed-partners and other household members. It often is a predictor of a much more serious and life-threatening condition known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when the airway is blocked completely to the point where breathing stops during sleep. Conventional therapy has been CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)--a machine which blows air through the nose to keep the airway open. It is very effective but compliance is poor due to poor mask seal, dry throat and mouth, noise affecting others and bulkiness of having to be attached to a machine.

CPAP

 

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

 

 

There are over a hundred FDA-approved oral appliances for treatment of OSA, which basically accomplish the same goal: moving the tongue and lower jaw forward to open the airway. Specially-trained dentists are the only health-care providers licensed to fabricate these devices and work closely with the medical profession to treat sleep apnea. Proper testing must be done prior to making these appliances as well as after placement to ensure that apnea is under control.

OAT

Somnodent Oral Appliance

for

OSA

 

 

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