Is Snoring Keeping You Up Nights?

We tell jokes about snoring often, but snoring is definitely no laughing matter.  Most commonly caused by a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), snoring can destroy your sleep, prevent a restful night and make it difficult to stay awake during the day.  In addition to disrupting your sleep patterns (and the sleep patterns of your partner), OSA can contribute to a number of serious health concerns including high blood pressure, stroke or heart attack and even depression.  

What Is OSA?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a medical condition in which the airway collapses and closes off during sleep.  As the muscles relax, they collapse upon each other making it difficult to breathe.  We often hear this as loud snoring.  In patients with OSA, the collapsed airway will often cause lengthy periods of not breathing at all (apnea).  When this occurs, it can be dangerous.  

How Can My Dentist Help Me Stop Snoring?

There are many treatment options available to help reduce the symptoms of OSA.  If you snore, you may have tried nose strips, special pillows, or any number of products intended to help curb snoring.  Medical treatments for OSA range from surgical procedure to the prescription of a special breathing mask to be worn during sleep called a C-PAP machine.  Patients report mixed results with all treatment options for OSA, but seem to find the C-PAP machine especially difficult to comply with due to it’s bulky design and noisy operation.  

Advancements in dental sleep medicine have provided other options for the treatment of OSA.  Using a small, custom designed oral appliance, many patients with mild to moderate OSA and snoring have found that their symptoms are far reduced or eliminated.  The oral device is designed specifically for your anatomy, and precisely repositions your jaw in order to maintain an open airway during sleep.  Patients who use the dental sleep apnea appliance report that they notice a significant reduction in sleep apnea symptoms, snoring and frequent waking. 

Is A Dental Sleep Apnea Device Right For Me?

If you are tired of being tired all the time, suffer with snoring or mild to moderate sleep apnea, then a dental sleep apnea device may be right for you.  Schedule a consultation with your Dallas dentist and discuss your options.  A sleep study will be conducted, results interpreted and a plan for treatment devised by Dr. Jack E. Burroughs.  If you can benefit from a dental snoring appliance, you will have custom impressions and models made to ensure a perfectly fitted, comfortable and precise appliance.  For more information about scheduling a snoring and sleep apnea consultation, contact Forest Lane Dental