Customized Snoring Appliances
You might not think of your dentist first when considering ways to stop snoring, but at Advanced Dental Concepts, Dr. Okoniewski has helped numerous patients find more restful sleep through customized snoring appliances. In many cases, snoring originates with abnormal oral tissues that partially block your airway as you sleep. With a custom-made appliance, or snore guard, we can help most patients eliminate snoring and find more peaceful rest. Patients who exhibit obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may also benefit from an oral appliance as an alternative to the more cumbersome CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine.
Why Do You Snore?
Snoring is common, and the reasons behind it differ from patient to patient. For many, however, the source can be traced back to oral and throat tissues over-relaxing and collapsing into the airway as you sleep. The blockage creates a smaller airway for your breath to pass through, which causes the walls of your throat to vibrate violently from the increased air pressure.
Appliances for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Like snoring, sleep apnea involves oral and throat tissues blocking your airway; however, in the case of OSA, the airway is completely blocked and the patient stops breathing for several moments at a time. Sleep apnea can prevent patients from reaching the deep, restful stages of sleep, and you may soon experience symptoms of sleep deprivation even though you believe you’re sleeping soundly.
To treat snoring and sleep apnea, Dr. Okoniewski will take detailed digital images and measurements of your bite, then construct a custom-made appliance designed to keep your airway clear. The appliance will hold your lower jaw in a slightly forward but comfortable position that prevents tissues and muscles from collapsing into your airway. Because the snore guard is custom-made, its optimal fit will remain comfortable enough to let you rest peacefully throughout the night.
Stop Snoring and Treat Sleep Apnea
If you snore chronically or have obstructive sleep apnea, then a custom-designed oral appliance from your dentist may be able to help you sleep comfortably and peacefully. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Okoniewski, call Advanced Dental Concepts in Auburn Hills, MI today at (248) 852-1820.
