Sleep Apnea Appliances (Snoreguards)

Oral appliance therapy is a well-established method for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) caused by a constricted or collapsed airway, which can be screened for in the dental office and diagnosed by a physician.

By bringing the lower jaw or tongue forward to open the airway, dental sleep appliances have demonstrated improvement in various health outcome measures, such as daytime sleepiness and blood pressure. Many patients prefer mandibular repositioning therapy to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.

Sleep-disordered breathing refers to respiratory irregularities that occur when there is partial or complete cessation of breathing throughout the night, and the two most common conditions are snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which can be treated by a dentist, after physician diagnosis.

Woman sleeping on a bed.

Unfortunately, because snoring and apnea occur when the patient is sleeping, he or she may be the last to know about the problem. In addition to being unaware of their condition, many patients do not realize the true necessity of adequate sleep in order for the body to function properly. Sleep plays an important role in good health and mental, physical and emotional well-being. Loss of sleep can contribute to several health problems, with short-term effects including increased stress, mood disruption and impaired concentration. Long-term effects include an increased risk for diabetes, breast cancer, high blood pressure, depression, stroke and obesity.

Adults should aim for seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night to function optimally. Sleep provides the body and mind with a chance to rest and shut off for the night, and gives the body the opportunity to repair and restore itself. Sufficient sleep allows the body to process information and improves a person’s memory and ability to learn. Because sleep also plays a major role in appetite and metabolism, it is involved in weight control.

The most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apneas include:

  • Loud snoring.
  • Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person.
  • Awakening with a dry mouth.
  • Morning headache.
  • Difficulty staying asleep, known as insomnia.
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness, known as hypersomnia.
  • Difficulty paying attention while awake.

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