Sleep Apnea

Snoring is often a precursor to something more serious called Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Snoring and OSA are similar respiratory disorders.  

Snoring occurs when the air you breathe vibrates the tissues of the airway due to a blocked or narrowed airway.

OSA occurs when your breathing regularly stops or is slowed for 10 seconds or longer due to blocked or narrowed airways.

Airway blockage may be caused by excess tissue in the throat or nasal passages, large tonsils, a large tongue and something the structure of the jaw itself.

Why is Obstructive Sleep Apnea a serious problem?

Your body us bring robbed of the rest it needs to function properly during the day when you are constantly awoken throughout the night.

OSA symptoms:

Excessive daytime sleepiness

Feeling exhausted after a normal night of sleep

Headaches

Depression

Symptoms that your bed partner is likely aware of:

Frequent episodes of obstructed breathing during sleep

Snoring, gasps, choking or gurgling sound

Bruxism (tooth grinding)

Long term symptoms:

Increased risk for hypertension and cardiovascular disease

Sexual dysfunction

Compromised immune system

Irritability

Learning and memory problems

Poor mental and emotional health

Treatment options:

In addition to lifestyle changes such as a good sleep hygiene, exercise and weight loss, there are three primary ways to treat snoring and OSA:

1. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

2. Surgery

3. Oral Appliance Therapy

The Moses Oral Appliance is indicated for:

Patients with primary snoring or mild to moderate OSA who do not respond to behavioral measures such as weight loss or sleep position change.

Patients with moderate to severe OSA who are intolerant of or refuse treatment with nasal CPAP.

Oral appliances are also indicated for patients who refuse treatment or are not candidates for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, craniofacial operations or tracheotomy. 

Written by The Moses Appliance for Johnson Family Dental