Oral Appliances for Treating Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Dr. Lon Kessler is a dentist practicing in Phoenixville, PA. Dr. Kessler specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures,... more
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder in which breathing is briefly and repeatedly interrupted during sleep. The "apnea" in sleep apnea refers to a breathing pause that lasts at least ten seconds. OSA occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open, despite efforts to breathe.
Sleep apnea is witnessed when you hear a person who snores throughout the night, stop snoring, appear to hold their breath, gasp, and then take a deep breath. What is really happening is that this person's airway is actually completely closed. Their body recognizes the extreme distress and briefly awakens the person. Without the person's knowledge, this can happen hundreds of times each night, keeping the person from getting the sleep needed for good health and feeling refreshed the next day.
The strongest indicators of sleep apnea are as follows and should be evaluated by a health professional:
- Chronic snoring
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Waking up gasping or choking
- Brief breathing stoppages while sleeping
A qualified dentist can fit an oral appliance- similar to a retainer or mouthguard which opens your airway by positioning the lower jaw slightly forward of its usual rest position, enabling an open airway while you sleep. This is the first step toward getting a restful night’s sleep and improving your health.
