Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
Dentistry On Corby
Having a restful sleep is a reachable dream.
Snoring and sleep apnea affect the quantity and quality of your sleep, resulting in a less restful night for you and possibly your partner. They can also lead to more serious health problems such as hypertension, obesity, gastroesophageal reflux, diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, stroke, and heart disease, which is why it is very important to seek treatment. At Dentistry On Corby, we can help.
What is snoring?
Snoring is noisy breathing caused by vibration of the tissues in the partially blocked airway when air squeezes through. Snoring can disrupt the quality of your sleep and also your partner's. Therefore, it can create major relationship problems. Thankfully, sleeping in separate bedrooms is not the only solution for snoring. Schedule an appointment and see how we can help!
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threathening condition and serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. These episodes usually last 10 seconds or more and occur repeatedly throughout the night. People with sleep apnea are partially awake as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they don't recall these awakenings.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Do you snore?
Do you feel tired all the time?
Do you doze off when sitting and reading or watching TV?
If so, contact us for a FREE sleep apea consult!
What are my treatment options?
There are different or combination of approaches to improving your sleep disorders
Lifestyle Changes
Several lifestyle changes may aid in the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea
Exercise regularly
Weight loss
don't sleep on your back
quit smoking
use a nasal decongestant or allergy medications
avoid taking sedative medications such as anti-anxiety drugs or sleeping pills
avoid drinking alcohol
Surgical Intervention
Surgery is usually considered only if other therapies haven't been effective or haven't been appropriate options for you. Surgical options may include:
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) to remove excess tissue from the soft palate and pharynx
Nasal surgery to create more room in the nose and allow air to pass smoothly
Soft palate implants (the Pillar Procedure) to stiffen the soft palate and airway is less constricted
Hyoid bone advancement to expand the airway
etc
CPAP Machine
The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine supplies pressurized air that flows continuously or intermittently into the airway, thus treating snoring or obstructive sleep apnea.
Patient may experience a feeling of claustrophobia, loud noise, dryness in mouth and/or nose, skin marks or rashes with the use of CPAP machine.
Oral Appliances
By wearing these snoring or sleep apnea oral appliances at night, your lower jaw is being held forward. The main purpose of these appliances is to keep the airway open during sleep, thereby preventing your tongue and upper airway muscles from collapsing and blocking the normal flow of air during breathing. This is an non-invasive treatment option that fits easily into your lifestyle.
Many patients found that this is the treatment choice for them due to the following reasons:
does NOT want surgery
more comfortable and tolerable than wearing CPAP masks.
do not dry out nose/sinus, like CPAP device would
Can move around freely during sleep
More appealing to bed partner, as opposed to using CPAP
Portable, good for frequent travellers