Snoring and Sleep Apnoea
What is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder in which breathing is involuntarily interrupted for short periods of time during sleep. It is usually caused by narrowing of the airways at the back of the throat. These interruptions in breathing are called apneas or apnea episodes.
Symptoms of sleep apnea
Snoring is the most common reason most people visit their doctor to discuss sleep.
Another warning sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is falling asleep during the day, usually watching TV or on public transport.
Other symptoms of OSA:
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Concentration problems
- Headache
- Low mood
- Obesity
- Decreased libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Night sweats
- Frequent urination at night
Snoring and sleep apnea are caused by the narrowing of the airways in the back of the throat that relax during sleep. Oral devices, such as the SomnoDent Avant®™, advance the jaw and tongue causing the upper airway to open and thus treat sleep apnea.
Untreated sleep apnoea
Sleep apnoea is a serious and relatively common condition. More than 1 billion people around the world may have sleep apnoeic, and up to 80% of these patients may not be treated. Untreated sleep apnoea has been linked to:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disturbances or arrhythmias
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
- Car and truck accidents
- Work accidents
- Stroke
The good news is that diagnosis, and successful sleep apnoea treatment can relieve the symptoms and reduce the long-term risks to your health.
How does an oral appliance work?
The SomnoDent® MAD is individually adapted to the shape of your jaw. The device is made up of two arches, one for each of the upper and lower jaws. The SomnoDent® device has a patented design. The device gently holds the lower jaw forward in the ideal position required to alleviate symptoms. The throat muscles and surrounding tissue are opened up by this process and the tongue remains forward.
When you wear your SomnoDent® MAD at night, your airways remain open while you sleep, therefore the soft tissue in the upper throat area no longer vibrates, so eliminating the main cause of loud snoring.
The MAD comes with extra soft, tooth and mouth friendly SMH B-Flex lining which provides a very high level of comfort and remains odour free. A survey among users of the device showed an extremely high level of satisfaction with around 88% wearing it regularly. 91% of users confirm and improvement in sleep quality. Regular use increases the success of the treatment and leads to long-term relief, which can noticeably reduce the risks associated with sleep apnoea.
Your Facial Aesthetic Provider
Seema Imantabari Associate – Dentist
MChD/BChD MFDS RCS (Eng)
GDC No. 297152
Seema is a dentist with experience in both general practice and hospital settings. She works at Guy’s Hospital and in private practice, with a focus on sedation, restorative dentistry, treating anxious patientsas well as the dental management of sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea and snoring. She has published research, presented internationally, and continues to develop her skills through advanced training.
For further information about any of our services please call us: 01582 494815.
