Sleep Apnea and Snorning - Orthodontics

Why Do We Snore?

The sound of snoring occurs when air cannot flow freely in and out of your throat. This is due to a narrowing of the passages at the back of the mouth and nose. During sleep, muscle tone decreases throughout the body. When your throat muscles relax, the soft palate and uvula (the fleshy structure that dangles from the roof of the mouth) vibrates as you breathe in and out. Snoring tends to become worse with alcohol or sedative consumption before bedtime, weight gain and a blocked nose. Snoring often increases with age.

How is snoring related to obstructive sleep apnea?

While snoring is caused by a partial obstruction, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a temporary but complete closure of your throat during sleep. It results in repeated episodes of stopping breathing (apnea) during which you continue to make efforts to breathe. Loud snoring is the most common symptom of OSA. The sound occurs as you briefly waken at the end of the apneic period and begin to breathe. Some OSA sufferers are described as making snoring or gasping sounds when they resume breathing. A history of snoring often precedes the development of other symptoms which include excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, memory impairment, morning head ache, poor work performance and loss of sexual interest. Severe OSA can result in serious complications including high blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances and heart failure. The diagnosis of OSA is made by specialized testing. An overnight sleep study is required to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity. Snoring without apnea is not usually harmful to your health and many snorers who have none of the above symptoms do not have significant OSA. However, some people with OSA are unaware they have it. Thus, careful medical attention is required to ensure the OSA is properly diagnosed and treated.

How Can My Dentist Help with Snoring and OSA?

As an alternative to the CPAP machine, Dr. Tabbara can make you an oral appliance to be worn while you sleep. An oral appliance is a small device, similar to an orthodontic retainer or an athletic mouthguard. It is worn in the mouth during sleep to prevent the soft throat tissues from collapsing and obstructing the airway. Some appliances hold the lower jaw forward during sleep while others have direct effect on tongue position. Oral appliances relieve OSA and snoring by realigning the jaw and/or tongue in relation to the head. Although oral appliances do not work on everybody, a well-made, well-fitted appliance may reduce or eliminate snoring, and may significantly relieve symptoms of OSA.