Danger Signs & Symptoms

• Waking up tired after a full night's sleep
• Falling asleep at inappropriate times
• Waking up with a headache

What, Why and How it happens

Dental Appliances, How do they work?

Do you have a snoring problem? Please fill out this questionnaire

Oral Appliance Therapy

    Snoring and sleep apnea are breathing problems that result when the airway becomes partially closed.  This occurs when the muscles of the throat and tongue relax and sag, causing an obstruction of the airway.  This makes breathing labored and noisy.  Collapse of the airway blocks breathing entirely.   As pressure to breathe builds, muscles of the diaphragm and chest work harder eventually uncorking the airway.  When these interruptions of breathing occur, oxygen in the blood drops causing your blood pressure to rise and your heart to work harder.   Over a period of time these episodes of apnea can cause an irregular heart beat, high blood pressure, enlargement of the heart, increased risk of heart failure and stroke as well as death.

The tongue falls back in the airway and can cause a partial
obstruction and snoring.  A complete obstruction will lead to
apnea and serious health complications.

The dental appliance is similar to an orthodonic retainer which is worn during sleep.  It functions to prevent the soft tissues from collapsing and obstructing the airway. With the appliance in position the tongue cannot drop back to alter or obstruct the flow of air.

     How They Function
            • It brings the lower jaw forward
            • It holds the tongue forward
            • It lifts a drooping palate 
     Advantages of Dental Appliances
            • They are small and easy to wear.
            • The total cost of therapy is considerably less than other alternative treatments such as throat surgery and the CPAP machine.   
            • The treatment is reversible and non-invasive.