Over the years we have used several dental appliances to treat snoring, mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and patients that cannot or do not want to use the CPAP machine to treat the problem.

The CPAP machine is the gold standard for the treatment of OSA but unfortunately only about half of patients are compliant with it's use.
Today's CPAP machines are better than ever and should be attempted for the treatment of OSA. OSA is life threatning and dental appliances for the treatment of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea are excellent if CPAP does not work for you. Many patients that travel for business take the oral appliance with them during business trips and use the CPAP at home. We use a couple of dental appliances but we predominantly recommend the SOMNODENT appliance for our patients. It is by far the most comfortable and very easy to use.


The SomnDent consists of an upper and lower component


Somnodent appliance in the mouth

 

 

If you think you have a problem with Snoring or Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) the following forms may help you determine if there is a problem. Print the forms, fill them out, and if your score indicates you may have a problem call right now and make an appointment.

Click here to download, print and fill out the forms.

Improving your sleep will improve your life, your health, and possibly add years to your life.You will feel better and avoid the serious health problems associated with this disease.

In September 1995 the American Sleep Disorder Association (ASDA) endorsed oral appliance therapy as the third currently acceptable treatment modality for snoring and sleep apnea. The two most common solutions include continuous positive air pressure or the removal of either the excess palatal tissue or the uvula.

It has been estimated that 60% of men and 40% of women between the ages of 40 and 60 years of age snore. Snoring occurs when there is a partial obstruction of the airway which causes the palatal tissues to vibrate. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway is completely blocked for certain periods of time. As many as 20 million people in North America may have sleep apnea. Snoring is a social problem, particularly for the spouse, but obstructive sleep apnea poses a significant health risk for the patient in that it can lead to irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.

SLEEP APNEA
Sleep apnea is a type of breathing disorder which is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. There are basically three types of apnea

1. Central Apnea
The upper airway is open, but no oxygen is getting into the system. This occurs because the patient is not getting a chemical response from the brain to stimulate the lungs and the diaphragm to assist with breathing.

2. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The lungs and the diaphragm are functioning normally, but no oxygen is entering the system because there is an obstruction in the upper airway.

3. Mixed Apnea
This is a combination of central and obstructive sleep apnea.

Oral appliances are only indicated for use in patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The signs and symptoms of OSA include snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, gasping or choking during the night, non-refreshed sleep, fragmented sleep, clouded memory, irritability, personality changes, decreased sex drive, impotence, and morning headaches.

Factors that affect obstructive sleep apnea are as follows:

1. Age
2. Obesity
3. Alcohol
4. Sedative Hypnotics (sleeping pills)

Children can also snore and suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Often they are highly allergic and their airway is blocked due to enlarged adenoids, tonsils or swollen nasal mucosa. Clinical signs would indicate a turned up nose, allergic shiners under the eyes, mucous draining out of the nose, mouth breathing, and a nasal sound to the voice. Other signs are bed wetting, irritability, difficulty in concentrating at school and hyperactivity

At the present time, obstructive sleep apnea is defined as a medical problem and the diagnosis must be made by a medical doctor or sleep physician (pulmonologist) who is specially trained in the area of sleep medicine.

The dental profession has an important role to play in the treatment of patients with snoring and sleep apnea. If 60% of men and 40% of women between forty and sixty years of age snore, this is a huge problem. Snoring is a serious social problem for the spouse, but obstructive sleep apnea can be a life threatening situation for the patient in that it can lead to irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and strokes.

At the present time, obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition that is being controlled and treated mainly by the medical profession. Despite the fact that in September 1995, the American Sleep Disorder Association finally endorsed oral appliance therapy as the third currently acceptable treatment method for snoring and sleep apnea, the vast majority of the medical doctors are not aware of the value of oral appliances

As time goes on, the public is going to become more aware of the health risks associated with snoring and sleep apnea. It is the dental professionals responsibility to educate their members, the public and the medical profession about the important role that dentists and oral appliances play in the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.


















Dentist - Glen Ellyn | 45 S. Park Blvd, Ste 190, Glen Ellyn, IL, 60137 | (630) 469-3558
Dr. John C. Workman is general and cosmetic dentist located in Glen Ellyn, IL. Dr. Workman serves the communities of Glen Ellyn, Downer's Grove, Wheaton and Lombard with excellent dental care. His office specializes in Invisalign, dental implant solutions, veneers, aesthetic dentistry and teeth whitening.