If you or someone you know suffers from this sleeping disorder, we can help!

12 Million Americans could sleep better
This is the number of people who suffer from Sleep Apnea – a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep.

Apnea is a complete stoppage of air flow that occurs when the upper airway resistance in the nose and throat closes the airway or the tongue fall back and blocks the airway and completely stops the flow of air for at least 10 seconds. This causes a reduction in oxygen saturation and an arousal from sleep to resume breathing.

Often characterized by loud snoring, which for years was thought to be merely a habit; this now is recognized as a symptom of Sleep Apnea. Left untreated Sleep Apnea can cause: Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke, Memory Problems, Weight Gain, Impotency & Headaches.

The standard first line of treatment for Sleep Apnea, following extensive sleep studies, is the CPAP (Controlled Positive Airway Pressure) machine, prescribed by a physician specializing in sleep disorders. If you feel you may fall into the Sleep Apnea category we or your Primary Care Physician can refer you to a qualified Sleep Center for evaluation.

CPAP treatment is very effective for airway resistance and Apnea events. However, it may present difficulties for patients who cannot tolerate wearing the necessary mask and who then give up on the therapy all together.

- Dentistry’s role in treating mild to moderate sleep apnea is supportive only. Pre-medical screening and referral to this office is required. The treatment goal is to open the airway further by providing an oral device which treats both the nasal and pharyngeal airways.

There are several oral appliances available to treat moderate to mild Sleep Apnea. We have personally used three different ones on our patients. The most effective in our opinion is the OASYS: Oral/Nasal Airway System®. This appliance is FDA approved to treat Sleep Apnea. It is adjustable for maximum airway improvement while not exceeding patient comfort. It addresses both oral and nasal airway resistance.

We have been very successful treating mild to moderate Sleep Apnea with the OASYS appliance. If you have been unsuccessful with the CPAP machine or you are disinclined to use one, the OASYS Appliance might be an option for you.

YOU CAN SLEEP WITH EASE ALL NIGHT LONG