There are three different kinds of sleep apnea: obstructive, central and mixed; of these, the most common type is obstructive sleep apnea.

When you are breathe normally, air passes through the nose and past the flexible structures, such as soft palate, uvula and tongue, in the back of your throat. When you are awake your muscles hold this airway open. When you are asleep these muscles relax and the airway usually stays open. Yet, in the case of obstructive sleep apnea the tongue is sucked against the back of the throat blocking both the upper airway and airflow. This causes the oxygen levels in the both in the brain and the blood to lower. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been seen in people with cardiovascular problems and excessive daytime sleepiness. Untreated, sleep apnea has been the cause of high blood pressure, memory problems, weight gain, impotency and even headaches. Left untreated, it may be responsible for motor vehicle crashes and job impairment. Fortunately sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated. There are several treatment options and research into various treatment methods continues.

How Do I Know If I Have Sleep Apnea?

The only way to be sure if you have obstructive sleep apnea is to have a sleep test conducted either at home, with a qualified sleep physician, or in a hospital sleep center. A score of 8 or above on the following test should indicate to you that you should see your doctor. 

While performing the following activities, do you experience sleepiness? Take the test below and rate yourself.  If you have 8 positive answers (yes=1, no=0) this may indicate a problem with daytime sleepiness.

A score of 8 or above indicates that you may be having a problem with daytime sleepiness but below 8 does not necessarily mean that you don't have a problem.  See your healthcare professional for advice if you snore, have been told that you waken gasping for breath or if you are sleepy during the day.

Treatment Options

There are several ways to treat sleep apnea. The most common method is with a continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machine. Using a tube and a mask that covers the nose, the pressure generated by the CPAP splints the structures in the back of the throat holding the airway open during sleep.

Another option is surgery. By repositioning the anatomic structure of your mouth and facial bones surgeons are able to eliminate the tissue that collapses during sleep.

Depending on the severity of your sleep apnea dentists, with training in oral appliance therapy , can determine which appliance is best suited for your specific dental and medical condition. Working with and in coordination with your physician, your dentist will participate in your diagnosis, treatment and on-going care. Follow-up care with your dentist, in order to evaluate the response of your teeth and jaws, will ensure a successful treatment.

Oral Appliances

With over 40 different types of oral appliances available to specially trained dentists, there are essentially two different categories that they can be classified. Those are tongue retaining appliances and Mandibular repositioning appliances.

Town and Country Dental Studios is pleased to be associated with Dr. Don Pantino , who has developed a distinctive mandibular repositioning appliance. Mandibular repositioning appliances are used to reposition the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate and uvula by stabilizing the lower jaw and tongue and by increasing the muscle tone of the tongue.

The advantages of oral appliances over other forms of therapy are as follows:

• Oral appliances are comfortable and easy to wear. It does take a few weeks, however, to become used to wearing the device.
  
• Oral appliances are small and convenient. You can take them with you when you travel.
  
• Oral appliances are non-invasive therapy.