Sleep Apnea/Snore Relief

Seeking a Restful Night’s Sleep?

Are you or your loved one snoring through the night? Does interrupted sleep cause you to be moody or stressed out? Sleep apnea is one of the most undiagnosed and serious conditions. Studies show that 50% of people who snore are at risk of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing stops for periods of 10 seconds or longer, can interrupt deep sleep that makes people feel rested. Non-surgical dental appliances have proven more effective than surgery for many sleep apnea patients. In a matter of three visits, Dr. Silva can make you a custom appliance that’s comfortable and natural fitting.

What is Sleep Apnea?

When a sleeping person stops breathing for 10 or more seconds, they have “apnea.” OSAS, or obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, is one type of sleep apnea. Lack of adequate breath during sleep reduces airflow, causing the brain to tell the body to wake up and breathe. In some cases, sleep apnea patients only move into a lighter stage of sleep, while other times, patients wake completely.

Call Dr. Silva, Collegeville’s leading Sleep Dentist, for sleep apnea snore relief. Our dental office is located in Collegeville. We also provide sleep apnea relief dentistry to the following areas: Royersford, Oaks, Limerick, Blue Bell, Skippack, Norristown, Trappe, Philadelphia, and Phoenixville.

Call today to request an appointment for all your sleep apnea dentistry needs.

Call (610) 489-5555

Please fill out our Sleep Apnea form below prior to your first visit.

Sleep Apnea Help

What’s the Problem?

Many factors may contribute to airway blockage, from the size of passages and oral or airway structures to swelling of passageways or position of the tongue. Disrupted deep sleep can affect mood, health, and cause daytime sleepiness. The added stress and fatigue can cause lack of concentration, loss of memory, and accidents in the workplace or while driving. Other health risks include high blood pressure and heart problems, and even a risk of premature death. The sleep apnea patient’s snores can disturb a sleeping partner’s rest, too.

Non-Surgical Sleep Apnea Therapies

A few tests can determine whether you suffer from OSAS, and non-surgical therapies may alleviate the problem. A nasal mask (cPAP) can deliver air to keep nasal passages open during sleep. Even more effective, patients may now wear dental appliances that reposition the tongue or mandible (lower jawbone). A Swedish study showed that the anterior mandibular positioning dental device (AMP) is actually more effective than surgical therapies. The same study stated that adverse health effects and appliance repairs were rare.

According to experts, sleep apnea is an under-diagnosed condition, and more men than women suffer. If your sleeping partner says you snore or stop breathing while asleep, or if you experience daytime sleepiness, contact us for a consultation. A sleep apnea device may improve your quality of life. It’s just another way your dentist can help you smile.

Are you CPAP intolerant? Sleep Apnea Treatment Unplugged, We have a Solution.

A CPAP machine has been used for years to treat patients with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea results when a patient’s airway is blocked by the tissues of their mouth or throat, preventing oxygen flow to the body. The CPAP tries to prevent this by delivering a steady stream of pressurized oxygen through a facial mask.
Unfortunately, many people hate their CPAP. This is why nearly 50% of people prescribed a CPAP machine stop using it after the first year. This means they are consciously choosing to not treat their sleep apnea, but they simply can’t stand the machine.

The mask and noisy machine often prevent patients from falling asleep in the first place, which defeats its main purpose. The mask can often leave people feeling uncomfortable and constricted, leading many to even experience claustrophobia. The machine can be quite loud, and this not only disturbs the patient but anyone else that might be sharing the room with them. The machine is quite bulky and can restrict a person’s movement while they are trying to sleep. This makes it very cumbersome to travel with, so most patients don’t ever take it with them.

Many patients are also CPAP intolerant. This can be because the continual pumping of air doesn’t relieve their sleep apnea, or that they may be suffering from a latex allergy, and the materials of the machine irritate their skin.
Fortunately, there is a viable CPAP alternative. You don’t have to choose between the dangers of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the inconvenience of CPAP therapy. The best alternative for most patients is oral appliance therapy.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Dr. Silva recommends oral appliances for people who have mild to moderate sleep apnea and are CPAP intolerant.

An oral appliance is a small device (similar to a mouthguard) that you would wear each night to bed. It helps prevent your airway from becoming blocked by gently shifting your jaw forward, keeping your tongue in a neutral position, or both. This protects your airway from becoming obstructed over the course of the night, ensuring a restful night’s sleep. Each oral appliance is custom-made for every patient from strong and flexible materials. They are made to be comfortable as well, and patients should be able to speak clearly and drink normally while they are wearing one.

Many people prefer oral appliances because they are small, easy to use, and effective. In fact, nearly 95% of patients who routinely wear oral appliances report a dramatic increase in their sleep quality. They don’t have to contend with the noise or the size of the CPAP machine, and can easily take them anywhere they go.

If you are suffering from sleep apnea but are sick and tired of your CPAP machine, call us today so we can start making you a customized oral appliance. It may be exactly what your sleep needs.

We use only the best products for Sleep Dentistry Treatment, SomnoMed

Call Dr. Silva, Collegeville’s leading Sleep Dentist, for sleep apnea snore relief. Our dental office is located in Collegeville. We also provide sleep apnea relief dentistry to the following areas: Royersford, Oaks, Limerick, Blue Bell, Skippack, Norristown, Trappe, Philadelphia, and Phoenixville. Call today to request an appointment for all your sleep apnea dentistry needs.

Call (610) 489-5555