You can’t sleep and you want a solution. ‘Rest’ assured the proper result awaits. Treatment options designed for your specific symptoms.
All you want is to sleep! Night after night you lie in bed, eyes squeezed shut – willing yourself to sleep. You can’t fall asleep. You can’t stay asleep. Morning comes too early and your night goes on and on . . . Your entire personality is changing. Your health is in jeopardy.
You want answers and you want them now. More than answers, you want relief . . .
CPAP - - - SomnoDent MAS™ - - - Orthodontic Treatment
CPAP. A Sleep Apnea Treatment Alternative or a major nuisance?
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Continuous Airway Pressure or CPAP. This is the generally the “solution” most health care providers will recommend as the initial answer to sleep apnea. Most sleep centers will prescribe CPAP if you experience sleep apnea. While the patient is sleeping, the specially designed mask is worn, usually covering the nose and/or mouth. The mask utilizes a pressure feature which sends air through the nasal passages. This increase of oxygen prevents the throat from collapsing during sleep. Eventually, the “apnea” is eliminated during the night and the patient is able to freely breathe.
Additional benefits have been linked to the CPAP as well. When using the mask, snoring is reduced and even prevented altogether. This allows both you and your bed partner a better night’s sleep. The appliance can also decrease other sleep apnea symptoms such as headaches, nasal dryness and irritated eyes. Because this appliance offers a temporary solution only, sufferers must wear the mask each and every night.
If you are seeking CPAP, please email info@SleepDallas.com, and I will get you set up with a sleep physician who can prescribe this for you.
While CPAP is the treatment option that is prescribed most frequently, it is an option equally as unpopular. After extended use of the appliance, a high percentage of patients suggest they actually hate the device. Here’s why:
CPAP has close to a 100% success rate when it’s used as it’s intended and the proper directions are followed. The issue lies in the fact that CPAP is a difficult appliance to commit to. Claustrophobia and mask leak seem to be the 2 largest complaints. A lack of intimacy is another complaint. The majority of people that use the device reportedly wear it for 4 hours (or less) nightly.
There are additional problems related to CPAP. Facial breakouts are more prominent due to the irritation on the skin from the straps of the mechanism. The appliance itself contributes to irritated eyes and nose, dryness of the mouth, sore throat and a runny nose. Not pleasant! Also, patients that use CPAP will encounter problems if they tend to sleep on their stomachs, suffer from allergies or constantly breathe through their mouth. After continued use of the appliance, most patients discover this treatment isn’t working for them and they often find relief from oral appliance therapy.
Common Inquires – Frequently Asked Questions about CPAP
What is CPAP?
CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. As you sleep, a machine is used in the prevention of snoring and aids in correcting sleep apnea symptoms.
How does it work?
CPAP forces continuous air flow through your nose. A steady stream of air prevents your airway from collapsing when your muscles relax during sleep. This results in a continuous oxygen level throughout the night.
Can CPAP cure sleep apnea?
No. CPAP will not cure sleep apnea. It’s simply a temporary solution that prevents the suffering of sleep apnea symptoms.
Do I need a prescription for CPAP?
Yes. To purchase a unit you do require a prescription.
Are there different types of PAP machines?
Yes. Three basic types exist:
- CPAP – delivers one continuous level of pressure
- APAP – starts out at a low pressure, senses when you are encountering a sleep apnea episode and increases the pressure to accommodate
- BiPAP – employs an increase in pressure when you inhale and a decrease in pressure when you exhale
Are there alternatives to CPAP?
Yes. Sleep apnea can be modified with a change in certain patient’s diet or lifestyle. Oral appliances – a device used to re-position your jaw and/or tongue - are available. In severe and extreme cases, surgery may berequired. Dr. Smith can discuss the various alternatives with you.
Do I have to use CPAP every night?
Yes. To optimize the benefits of CPAP, instructions must be precisely followed. This includes wearing the appliance each and every night. Missing even one night will result in episodes of sleep apnea.
What if I have to travel?
The CPAP machine is able to be relocated. Talk to the airline before flying, to make arrangements or to verify their policy. Plan to make it part of your carry-on luggage as the CPAP machine may be damaged if included in your checked luggage.
If you plan on a camping trip or other travels by car, there are options when it comes to CPAP machines. Certain units can operate with batteries or function when plugged into your car battery.
Will my insurance cover CPAP?
Insurance policies vary from company to company but most will cover CPAP. Because sleep apnea is a critical condition, linked to various health problems, it’s in their best interest to cover this unit as a preventative measure.
If you have sleep apnea ranging from mild to severe OR if you are a heavy snorer, call or email us today. We will help you to manage your sleep apnea with a treatment that is right for you.
Dr. Smith has great compassion and experience in distinguishing and revealing the cause of your sleeplessness. Taking into account a number of aspects - including your symptoms, your age, your gender, your medical history and your current emotional state – Dr. Smith will present you with a full analysis and offer you answers . . . . and the solutions you have been searching for.
Free E-Book Download 'All About Sleep Disorders'.
Let us know about your sleep problems - fill out our 'Sleep Disorder Evaluation Form'
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Oral Appliances
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Snoring & Sleep
Apnea Treatment... SomnoDent MAS™ |
What fits in the palm of your hand and is an established and verified treatment for snoring and sleep apnea? SonmoDent. This exclusive and unique device allows the patient to open and close their mouth like normal, ensuring it is very comfortable to wear.
An effective and proven way to STOP snoring
SomnoDent MAS™ is different than other snoring treatment devices on the market today. The appliance is a precision instrument that is custom-designed for each person, helping them in their endeavor to stop snoring.
An oral appliance that fits over the lower and upper teeth, the SomnoDent MAS™ fits like a sports mouth guard. However, completely different than a sports mouth guard, it is a meticulously manufactured, clinically tested, medical device. In almost all cases, it is extremely effective in the prevention of snoring and treating sleep apnea in the mild to moderate category.
The term SomnoDent MAS™ comes from a combination of oral references. “Mandible” is the medical term for your lower jaw while “splint” refers to an oral appliance worn over your teeth. Therefore, the name SomnoMed Mandibular Advancement Splint, or SomnoDent MAS™ was established.
The logic in choosing SomnoDent MAS™ is as easy as 1-2-3
1. It’s comfortable. It is the most comfortable and discreet mandibular advancement splint available
2. It’s effective. Its effectiveness to treat snoring and mild to moderate OSA has been clinically validated. (Note: success in all cases cannot be guaranteed.)
3. It’s good value. Given the quality, comfort, likelihood of success, manufacturer’s warranty and long life of the appliance, it provides true value for money.
With SomnoDent MAS™ - comfort is a priority
There is general discomfort and annoyance with a majority of mouth guards. With SomnoDent MAS™ you won’t find a more comfortable MAS. That’s because it is custom made to fit your mouth; your specifications. It doesn’t impose on your tongue and you have the ability to open and close your jaw, just as you would without the appliance. You can avoid a dry throat by closing your mouth and lips.
Other Appliances Offered by Dr. Smith
One "mandibular-repositioning" appliance we use is called the Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP®) oral appliance, which is a mandibular advancement device composed of two separate arches (maxillary and mandibular) containing an advancing mechanism which permits unlimited advancement of the lower jaw. The arches are custom fit to a patient's models. The advancing mechanism is engaged and the screw mechanism in the upper tray is then turned to advance the mandible until the patient begins to feel any discomfort in the temporomandibular joint or in the facial muscles (maximum mechanical protrusion which is an average of 2.5mm beyond maximum protrusion). The advancing screw is then turned back until patient is comfortable.
The SUAD appliance allows more lateral movement than most of the appliances, and is specially made for our patients who enjoy grinding their teeth at night (you know who you are) The thermoflex material usually requires heating in warm/hot water to soften it enough to place it every night. It also comes with a Morning Repositioner, used for isometric exercises (clenching on bicuspid area) for 15 minutes in morning to help the bite return to normal.
The OASYS Oral/Nasal Airway System is another, but is the first dental device to be reviewed by both the dental and ENT divisions of the FDA and to be approved as a dental device for treatment of snoring and sleep apnea through mandibular repositioning and also as a nasal dilator for reduction of nasal resistance and improved nasal breathing. To understand the way the dilator works, close your lips and hold your teeth together while breathing slowly through your nose for several breaths.
Now allow air to fill your upper lip and try the breathing again.
Notice how much easier it is to inhale? This is why the OASYS is designed this way.
The Elastic Mandibular Advancement ( EMA) Appliance is helpful with patients exhibiting a larger than normal tongue. It uses a varity of band lenghts and durometers (stiffness) that are changed out to create more forward movement of the mandible.
The SILENT NITE® device does not interfere with breathing through the mouth, and is one of the more comfortable designs. It is not made for severe grinders, but it is a comparatively small device with tiny connectors attached to transparent flexible upper and lower forms. This appliance is not approved for treatment of sleep apnea.
Another type of appliance is the Tongue Retaining Device. The "TRD" is constructed of a flexible polyvinyl material adapted to the general contours of the teeth and dental arches. It does not depend on teeth for retention. Rather, the tongue is held forward by the negative pressure created in the vacuum bulb on the front of the appliance.
A less complicated version of a tongue-retaining device is the AveoTSD, or "Tongue Stabilizing Device". The aveoTSD is made from a soft medical silicone for comfort and works by holding the tongue forward by gentle suction preventing it from falling back against the back of the throat , keeping the airway open during sleep. According to the company, the TSD is ideal for edentulous patients, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) indicated disorders, large tongue problems, complicated dentition conditions, periodontal problems, and children. Unlike the other devices , the aveoTSD does not attach to the teeth, but acts much like a pacifier. Don't worry..we won't tell if this is what you decide to use.
These are currently our favorite appliances, but this field is still in it's relative infancy, and more appliances are being invented and/or awaiting FDA approval all the time. We treat each patient individually, so we might suggest a specific appliance for you, but a different one for your spouse.
Whether it’s snoring that has forced you into a life on the couch or a more serious apnea problem, please call or schedule an appointment today to discuss your condition!
To optimize your health and get answers to your snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, and all sleep disorder questions, your search is over.
Contact Dr. Smith today at (888) 728.0035 or email info@SleepDallas.com
Let us know about your sleep problems - fill out our 'Sleep Disorder Evaluation Form'
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Orthodontic Treatment
You aren’t getting a restful night’s sleep and your sleeping disorders are preventing you from the rest you need. Orthodontic measures may be the answer.
Your jaw growth is a gradual process. In most cases, your lower and upper jaws develop and grow at different rates. This directly alters your breathing and is a major contributor to your sleep deficiencies. In addition to a conflicting growth rate, your jaw’s position could have been affected by an injury or could even be a birth defect. Another indicator of sleep apnea could be a severe overbite or buck teeth.
The advantage is yours . . .
Through the repositioning and realignment of your jaw, you can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment. By expanding the upper and lower jaw and widening your breathing passageway, you find relief.
The pattern of your bite and your teeth can be changed through orthodontics. The orthodontics of today are vastly different than that of years gone by. If you’ve had work done over the past 30 or so years, chances are the exact opposite has been accomplished in relation to the position of your jaw. Traditional methods forced the jaw backwards, creating generations of people now experiencing sleep issues. A more progressive, advanced approach now moves the lower jaw forward which ultimately helps the situation.
The intention of an orthodontic treatment is to adjust of a range of facial and jaw irregularities, resulting in an enhanced ability to breathe and therefore, sleep. This can be accomplished both with and without surgery - depending on the severity of the jaw placement. Dr. Smith is a Premier Provider with Invisalign, but also uses orthopedic appliances to aid in developmental and facial growth, as well as a new procedure called Short Term Orthodontics, which uses clear brackets and wires over a short period of time to straighten front teeth or close unwanted spaces. Whatever your need, Dr. Smith can help!
Take Control and Live Your Life Again - - - Beginning Today
Sleep deprivation is a serious problem that, left untreated, can lead to even more serious medical problems. When improperly treated, the risks to your health are increased even more. Choosing a dentist who is qualified in treating sleep disorders is critical to your health or the wellbeing of a loved one.
Dr. Smith is devoted and steadfast in his commitment to advancing his knowledge, increasing his skills and constantly learning more about various sleep disorders and their treatments. This is why he is asked to teach his philosophy and techniques to dentists all over the world more than 20 weekends each year.
Take control again . . . . of your days and nights with Dr. Smith's help. Contact our office today and determine which treatment option is right for you. Your search is over and restful nights are in your near future.
To optimize your health and get answers to your snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, and all sleep disorder questions, your search is over.
Contact Dr. Smith today at
(888) 728.0035 or email info@SleepDallas.com
Let us know about your sleep problems - fill out our 'Sleep Disorder Evaluation Form'
Back to Top l About CPAP l Oral Appliances (Somnomed) l Orthodontic Treatment
