803.750.9695 651.770.8723 info@milergroup.com

 

803.750.9695 651.770.8723 info@milergroup.com

SLEEP APNEA -- SLEEP DISORDERED BREATHING

 

Sleep disordered breathing is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, diabetes, and accidents, depression, muscle pain, fibromyalgia, inefficient metabolism, short term memory loss, weight gain, gastric reflux, severe anxiety, memory and concentration impairment, intellectual deterioration, mood swings/tempermental behavior, insomnia, impotence.

Sleep Apnea, a form of sleep disordered breathing, is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. In obstructive sleep apnea, breathing is interrupted by a physical block to airflow despite respiratory effort. The individual with obstructive sleep apnea is rarely aware of having difficulty breathing, even upon awakening. Obstructive sleep apnea is most often recognized as a problem by others witnessing the individual during episodes (stopping breathing, gasping for air and/or choking). It is also suspected because of its effects on the body. Symptoms may be present for years (or even decades) without identification, during which time the sufferer may become conditioned to the daytime sleepiness and fatigue associated with significant levels of sleep disturbance.

Currently, the most common treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). CPAP is pressurized air generated from a bedside machine. the air is delivered throug a tube, connected to a mask that covers the nose. The force of the pressurized air keeps the airway open much like air into a balloon.

Unfortunately, the level of non-compliance with CPAP users is astronomical. 90% of all patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea stop using their CPAP after one month. Many deaths have been thought to have been caused by non-compliant treatment of sleep apnea; patietns that have been diagnosed, prescribed a CPAP and then do not use the machine. Most of these deaths have been attributed to congestive heart failure - a serious complication to untreated obstructive sleep apnea.

Good News! There is a dental solution to treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Oral Appliance Therapy is an extremely effective treatment for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Only dentists with training in Oral Appliance Therapy are able to prescribe and fabricate the appliances. There are over 40 different types of appliances that are FDA approved.

The dentist will work with your physician as part of the medical team in your diagnosis, treatment, and on-going care. OSA can only be diagnosed by an accredited sleep physician after the patient has had a polysomnogram or a sleep study. Often times the diagnosis can be made from a home sleep study test which allows the patient to sleep in their own bed, in their own environment, as opposed to a sleep lab strange bed, someone watching you sleep, altered environment.

Your dentist can send you home with a sleep monitor for the night, you return the monitor the next day and your dentist in turn has an accredited sleep physician read the study to determine the diagnosis.

Oral apliances are worn in the mouth. The device is similar to orthodontic retainers or sports mouth guards. OAT involves the selection, design, fitting and use of a custom designed oral appliance also known as a MRD (Mandibular Repositioning Device) This appliance gently moves the mandible forward, stabilizing the lower jaw and tongue, thereby maintaining an opened, unobstructed airway. OAT is successful in treating patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

It is estimated that 20 million Americans are affected by sleep apnea. That is nearly 1 in 15 Americans, making sleep apnea as prevalent as asthma or diabetes. It is also estimated that 85-90 percent of individuals affected are undiagnosed and untreated.