Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Snoring and Sleep Apnea: What’s the Difference?

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a spectrum. The mildest form of SDB is snoring, which results from turbulent airflow causing the tissues of the nose and throat to vibrate during sleep. Upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) is when the snoring or resistance through the airway is significant enough to disrupt the quality of sleep and cause arousals. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the soft tissues of the airway relax, resulting in complete or partial obstruction of the upper airway. OSA is characterized by repetitive episodes of shallow or paused breathing during sleep, despite the effort to breathe, and is usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. These episodes are followed by brief awakenings that disturb sleep.

Why choose us for snoring and sleep apnea treatment?

We are committed to optimizing sleep quality through comprehensive measures including improving sleep habits/sleep hygiene, positional therapy, oral exercises, recommending aids to improve the nasal airway, and referral to other specialists when appropriate.  We partner with sleep physicians to ensure that the therapies are working adequately, or to determine if additional measures are needed.

When treating sleep breathing disorders with an oral appliance, we believe it is important to have a thorough understanding not only of sleep, but also of temporomandibular joint function and craniofacial and airway anatomy. We perform a comprehensive examination and imaging before placing an appliance. We feel this is crucial in order to manage any TMJ issues that may arise during treatment, as well as to determine the best appliance and appliance position for each patient.

As specialists in orofacial pain who are board certified in both dental sleep medicine and craniofacial pain/TMJ disorders, we are committed to delivering caring and comprehensive care for adults and children.

What are the effects of snoring and sleep apnea?

How is sleep apnea treated?

Are there alternatives to CPAP Therapy?

Is an oral appliance right for me?

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