Houston Sleep Apnea

Do you suffer from sleep apnea or snoring? Or do you have a partner who does? There is now a comfortable solution that avoids the use of the bulky CPAP appliance.

The Effects of Sleep Apnea

When you sleep, the soft tissues in the back of your mouth relax. This relaxation can cause your airway to narrow enough that it vibrates as you breathe, which creates the snoring sound.

  • In some cases, the airway can become completely blocked, thus stopping breathing.
  • When your brain detects the lack of oxygen, it prompts a momentary arousal, and you draw a breath. This is the essence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
  • You may have hundreds of these episodes each night and may not remember any of them, but it affects your health by robbing you of sound sleep, and this can have more profound effects besides constant fatigue.
  • It can lead to weight gain, abnormal heart rhythms, and high blood pressure. It can complicate diabetes, and can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.

These radiographs of a patient's throat show the principle that the SomnoMed appliance uses to treat sleep apnea. (Radiographs courtesty of SomnoMed). In its normal, relaxed position, as shown above, there can be a very narrow space between the back of the tongue and the back of the throat. These soft tissues can easily come together and either vibrate from the passage of air, or even close off completely, causing an interruption in breathing.

The SomnoMed appliance brings the lower jaw forward slightly, enlarging this passageway and preventing vibration or obstruction.

Signs of Sleep Apnea

  • Do you snore?
  • Is your snoring interrupted by pauses or choking?
  • Has anyone ever said that you gasp or stop breathing during your sleep?
  • Do you feel tired even after you think you’ve had an adequate night’s sleep?
  • Do you have high blood pressure?
  • Do you wake up during the night with headaches?
  • Do you have headaches when you wake up in the morning?
  • Do you nod off or fall asleep during the day?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you could be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. To find out more, please give The Houston Dentists a call.

Proper diagnosis of this serious medical condition is important. We can arrange for a sleep study done in the comfort and privacy of your own home. And your treatment may be covered by medical insurance.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment with the SomnoMed® MAS Appliance

The SomnoMed® MAS acrylic mandibular advancement appliance

The SomnoDent® MAS appliance, pictured at the left, is becoming recognized as the gold standard in sleep apnea treatment. It has an uncomplicated, relatively trouble-free design, and yet it is very effective.

  • Since it is fitted to your teeth, it needs to be made under the direction of a dentist.
  • It performs a rather simple task – it simply causes your lower jaw to be moved forward slightly while you are asleep.
  • As shown in the radiographs on the right, this may be all that is required to open your airway and eliminate its obstruction.

There are other appliances, also, that can be used that achieve the same effect of mandibular advancement.

FAQ’s

Is it comfortable?
Unlike other mandibular advancement appliances, the SomnoDent® does not lock your jaws together. It allows free opening and closing of your mouth, and it doesn’t impinge on your tongue. Users tell us that it is quite comfortable.

How will I look when I’m wearing it?
The MAS appliance is made to be very discreet. It allows you to close your lips, so that it won’t be obvious that you are wearing it.

How effective is the SomnoMed® MAS?
One of the major obstacles in the effectiveness of oral appliances has been the lack of compliance because of comfort issues. Since the SomnoDent® appliance allows users to freely open the mouth, speak, and drink, we have a very high rate of patient compliance. There is a 95% rate of patient satisfaction, including 83% of patients who report an improvement in sleep quality.

To make an appointment, please give The Houston Dentists a call, or visit our make an appointment page. Remember, there is no charge for your initial consultation appointment with our Houston sleep apnea doctors.