Can’t stop snoring? Afraid you have sleep apnea? Your dentist in downtown Los Angeles has the information you need on finding relief in this week’s blog post.
Sleep Apnea: An Overview
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Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder causing breathing to intermittently stop and start during sleep.
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Symptoms include: Daytime sleepiness, snoring and episodes of intermittent sleep, see below.
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Treatments may include: Lifestyle changes, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), and oral mouthpieces.
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Research has shown that oral mouthpieces, such as the Narval device, are effective for treating mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat periodically relax closing the airway during sleep. Breathing can be impaired, limiting the amount of oxygen entering your blood. These episodes can occur multiple times per hour, all night, preventing you from achieving restful sleep. Studies suggest that this disorder affects 2%-7% of adults with increased prevalence in middle age males.
Signs associated with obstructive sleep apnea:
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Loud snoring
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Episodes of intermittent sleep
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Excessive daytime sleepiness and increased risk of vehicle accidents
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Difficulty concentrating during the day
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Headaches
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High blood pressure
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Cardiovascular disease
How to Prevent Sleep Apnea
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Stay in Shape.
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Reduce alcohol intake.
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Quit Smoking.
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Treat Nasal Congestion:
Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea
Your physician will perform a physical examination and may refer you to a sleep specialist to diagnose the severity of your condition. A sleep specialist may recommend a sleep study where your sleep quality is evaluated overnight. Your heart, lung, breathing patterns, neurological activity and oxygen levels will be monitored during this overnight examination. Once a diagnosis is made, sleep apnea treatment in downtown Los Angeles may include the following:
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Lifestyle changes.
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Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).
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Oral mouthpiece. Also called a Mandiublar Repositioning Device.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea: The Custom-Made Narval Oral Device
Many patients have trouble tolerating the CPAP mask and use of a mandibular repositioning device can be a very effective alternative for treatment of mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea. The Narval device is a custom-made appliance that fits over the upper and lower teeth (See picture above). Flexible/adjustable straps are used to move the lower jaw forward thereby opening the airway in the back of the throat. The Narval is made through CAD/CAM technology using a lightweight, flexible, and biocompatible polymer.
A recent study in the journal of Sleep Medicine1 investigated the success in treating obstructive sleep apnea and tolerability of the Narval device. 369 patients were included in the study. Narval treatment was successful in reducing sleep apnea in 76.2% of the participants. 38% had complete symptom resolution. The study found that the Narval device significantly decreased sleepiness and improved quality of life. In addition, the Narval device reduced snoring duration and the number of snoring events per hour. The device was well tolerated in patients who refuse or do not tolerate the CPAP.
Recommendations
There are many oral mouthpieces on the market that are used to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea in Los Angeles. In my opinion, the Narval is one of the lightest and least bulky devices available. Patient’s seem to tolerate this device very well with good compliance. Research also shows that the Narval device is successful in treating sleep apnea and snoring.
Many of my patients are busy professionals in Downtown Los Angeles and will tell me that their significant other complains of snoring. Loud snoring can be a major problem preventing you and your partner from achieving restful sleep. Lifestyle modification along with the use of a custom-made Narval device can be an excellent approach to treating this disorder.
If you or your partner notices loud snoring, gasping during the night, episodic pauses in breathing during sleep and/or excessive drowsiness during the day, contact your physician or dentist for evaluation.
Your medical insurance plan may cover oral devices for treatment of sleep apnea. Our office can help you determine if this treatment is covered. Give us a call for more information.
References
1. M.-F. Vecchierini et al. A custom-made mandibular repositioning device for obstructive sleep apnoea-hyponoea syndrome: the ORCADES study. Sleep Medicine 2006;19:131-140.
