Sleep Apnea & Snoring Therapy

It has been estimated that 60 million Americans snore and another 18 million suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Because patients visit their dentist more routinely than any other health care professional, dentists are in a unique position to educate, diagnose, and treat these patients with oral appliances.

Snoring is defined as obstructed breathing during sleeping. Sleep apnea occurs when the obstruction is so complete that breathing stops. This happens repeatedly throughout the night, causing the sleeper to awaken repeatedly, thus denying them a good night's sleep. As anyone who suffers from lack of sleep can tell you, their quality of life is greatly reduced.

Both snoring and sleep apnea are related, having the same causes including: obesity, alcohol or sedative intake, and aging. Symptoms and risks include excessive fatigue and drowsiness, hypertension, and increased rates of diabetes and heart disease.

Here is a short video that briefly discusses sleep apnea and the conservative treatment options that are available.

The three primary treatment options for Obstructive Sleep Apnea are:

  1. Oral Appliances
  2. CPAP Device (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
  3. Surgical removal of structures causing the obstruction (usually the tonsils & adenoids)

The majority of snoring/sleep apnea patients can be successfully treated with option #1. If the cause of your snoring/sleep apnea is the tongue blocking the airway, then Dr. Eric Meeker can make an oral appliance which works by moving the lower jaw and tongue forward to keep the airway open during sleep.

If you or your sleeping partner suffer from snoring or sleep apnea, it is important to find a qualified professional who can diagnose the type and severity of the problem; and then treat it accordingly.

Dr. Eric Meeker has successfully treated many snoring and mild sleep apnea patients with oral appliance therapy. For those with a more severe form of sleep apnea, a referral to a sleep specialist is often necessary.

If you have any questions regarding snoring or sleep apnea, feel free to set up an appointment with Dr. Eric Meeker to evaluate your case and discuss your treatment options.