Sleep Apnea

Snoring:
Snoring affects 30% of men and women in the United States, while second-hand snoring–being kept up or perhaps having your own rest disturbed by a heavy snoring partner–affects approximately 73 percent of individuals that sleep with someone who snores.

What’s the big deal about snoring? You’re asleep so you don’t notice it. Well, sleep studies have shown that you are harming your brain and body when you spend hours every night snoring away. You fight the whole night just to get enough oxygen to your brain to keep it alive. That doesn’t sound like a peaceful night’s sleep. That seems more like a bad dream.

Khoury Snoring Dental Patient DhatIf You’re The Spouse/Partner Of A Snorer…

I’m sure you’re aware of the undesirable effects of second-hand smoke, but are you aware of how harmful second-hand snoring could be to you?

Ongoing research has shown that bedmates of chronic snorers can lose as much or more sleep as the snorer. When you consider that snorers may top out at nearly 80 decibels, a bed partner’s nightly blasts are more irritating than snuggling up to a high-speed blender for eight hours.

According to recent research by the Mayo Clinic and Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, those who are unlucky enough to have a snorer in their bed suffer from higher levels of systemic pain, suffer from ongoing fatigue, have more frequent episodes of conscious “blackouts” while driving, and could eventually find themselves deaf in certain sound frequencies.

One alarming Mayo Clinic study resulted in evidence that spouses of loud snorers were pulled out of their sleep nearly every three minutes, coming close to the 27 times an hour the actual snorer awakened.

Frustrated By Snoring? Tested Dental Device Ends Snoring.

At Amine G. Khoury DDS, we use a safe and effective lightweight oral device similar to a mouthguard to reduce or eliminate snoring. By offering enough air intake, the device helps snorers finally get some good rest.

If it sounds like you are suffering from a snorer’s rumblings, schedule a consultation with Dr. Khoury. There’s a good chance that you’ll soon be enjoying a quiet night at home.

Sleep Apnea:

*** The following video may be too disturbing for some viewers

The sleep apnea cycle:

  • Falling asleep
  • Mouth relaxing
  • Air passage collapsing
  • An extended time with no oxygen
  • Unconsciously awakening with a gasp
  • Falling back asleep only to start the cycle again

The exhausting cycle of sleep apnea can repeat itself fifty or more times per hour throughout the night. Along with a blocked air passage, the individual can’t receive enough oxygen, and this can lead to other serious health issues.

The Solution: CPAP vs. Oral Appliances

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine now considers dental appliances a first line treatment for Snoring and mild to moderate Sleep Apnea, they are also ideal for patients with severe sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP or as an alternative when traveling where there is no access to power.

Dental Sleep Appliances have been scientifically proven to be very effective; “over 95% of patients are satisfied with the level of improvement with their snoring when assessed and treated correctly”.

Some common problems with CPAP are:

  • Uncomfortable
  • Irritates the skin and the nose
  • Leaks air
  • The pressure of the CPAP is bothersome
  • Too noisy to allow sleep
  • Tubing gets in the way

Whatever the reason, some people just cannot tolerate CPAP.

The Success of Oral Appliances

According to research, it was noted that “long-term use of a dental device achieved an 81% success rate in apnea improvement, which was significantly higher than the 53% success rate noted for the standard surgical treatment for snoring: uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP).”

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s journal, Sleep, stated that, “Oral appliances are indicated for use in patients with obstructive sleep apnea who prefer oral appliances to CPAP, or who do not respond to CPAP, are not appropriate candidates for CPAP, or who fail treatment attempts with CPAP or treatment with behavioral measures such as weight loss or sleep-position change.”

Oral appliances are associated with better compliance than CPAP systems for many patients.

If you are either tired of snoring and not getting restful sleep, or tired of the CPAP, call our office today. It might just save your life.

Take this simple Sleep Survey to help understand your problem. If you check four or more boxes, you should be seen for the condition.

Sleep Study Questionnaire

Contact Us

  • Amine Khoury, DDS
  • 3434 Villa Lane • Suite 160
  • Napa, CA 94558

  • Office Hours
  • Mon - Thurs 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Friday by appointment

  • (707) 265-9440
  • info@mynapadentist.com

Request A Consult