The American Sleep Association reports that almost half of the adult population snores. While some snoring is benign and can be considered "normal", half of snoring is caused by Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Lastly, snoring can strain the relationship between you and your bed partner. Bed partners of snorers are unable to get a restful night's sleep because of the sounds, and may sleep in separate rooms.
With our snoring and sleep apnea treatments, you do not have to worry about the dreaded CPAP machine. We offer more convenient and comfortable snoring and sleep apnea treatments. A small customized appliance worn in your mouth (similar to a nightguard, but customized for sleep conditions) can be effective for managing snoring and sleep apnea.
What Solutions Exist to Manage Your Snoring or Sleep Apnea?
You can treat snoring and/or sleep apnea with a variety of treatment strategies. Getting to know each type of treatment and consulting with your provider will allow you to choose the one that fits your needs best. Oral appliances and CPAP machines are popular treatments. Jaw surgery, implantable neurostimulators, and positional retraining are others.
With CPAP, you receive constant and steady air pressure in your throat, opening the airway. In spite of the fact that CPAP devices can be useful, many people complain about leaky masks, stuffy noses, dry mouths, and trouble sleeping because of annoying noises. Therefore, oral appliances seem to be a better option for them.
Oral Sleep Appliances/Mandibular Advancement Devices Advantages
The difference between oral appliances and CPAP machines is that oral appliances are more comfortable and convenient. In contrast to CPAP machines, oral appliances allow you to experience optimal airflow:
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Without air being pushed down your throat
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No annoying air leaks at the sides of the mask
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No hose that confines you to one sleep position
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No need for removal and reattachment of the device while using the bathroom. This allows you more easily to fall back asleep.
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No need for an electrical outlet
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No loud noises emitted
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Convenient for travel and vacation
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No compression of your TMJ/jaw joints
What’s the Best Type of Oral Sleep Appliance? Do All Appliances Work the Same Way?
Thankfully, there are different types of oral sleep appliances on the market tailored towards each patient and their needs. Dr. Reddy & Dr. Kodali will examine your teeth, mouth and jaw to determine which appliance is best for you. We offer a wide variety of oral sleep appliances currently available on the market, including:
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Dorsal fin appliances (manufactured by Somnomed® and Whole You™)
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Respire Pink Micro
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Respire Blue Series
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Herbst Appliances
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EMA®
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3-D printed appliances → Panthera
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Lamberg™
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Prosomnus®
Is an Oral Appliance Equally Effective to a CPAP?
Yes, you can! In 2015, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) updated their joint guidelines to include oral appliances as an acceptable first line treatment for all levels of sleep apnea, including severe sleep apnea. People with severe sleep apnea have been delighted to learn that they can also receive an oral appliance.
Oral Appliance Advantages
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Easier for traveling – portable, small and no need to be checked in on flights
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No air leaks causing you to wake up
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Better for individuals suffering from claustrophobia
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Fully customizable, as each device is individually fitted
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No hose that confines you to one sleep position
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No need for removal and reattachment of the device while using the bathroom, this allows you to fall back asleep easily
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No need for an electrical outlet
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No loud noises emitted by the CPAP machine
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No compression of your TMJ/jaw joints and suitable for some TMJ conditions
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder that sees people temporarily cease to breathe during slumber. Instead of taking in air, they may take shallow breaths, pause while sleeping or gasp for oxygen. This is usually due to the tongue falling backwards and collapsing the muscles in the back of the throat. As a result, there is no airflow and oxygen levels are reduced in the brain. The organ will then try to find a way to reopen airways, potentially interrupting your sleep-cycle without you even realising.
The recurrent cycling of deeper and lighter sleep stages results in very poor sleep quality. People with sleep apnea can awaken feeling groggy and disoriented, though they may have slept ample hours. This cognitive dullness can lead to decreased stamina, faltering capability at work, annoyance, and morning headaches. As sleep apnea is fairly pervasive and undiagnosed in the populace, people may spend a long time trying to adapt by altering their behaviors, such as consuming too much coffee, energy drinks, or napping.
How Would You Know If You Have Sleep Apnea?
Symptoms of sleep apnea include gasping for air during sleep, feeling tired in the morning, lacking memory or concentration, headaches and moodiness in the morning. Loud snoring is another common symptom. Your bed partner may be able to help you identify if you are at risk of sleep apnea, so you should request a sleep test from a sleep apnea specialist , if you experience any of these symptoms.In the Glen Allen area, Virginia TMJ Facial Pain and Sleep Center can be a resource for sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment.
Sleep studies are conducted to track the number of times you stop or slow down your breathing during an hour. Low oxygen levels in the blood indicate sleep apnea.
If you have a sleep study performed at home, or in a sleep lab, bands and sensors are placed on your body to collect information from your heart, lungs, and muscles while you sleep.