Frequently Asked Questions - North Phoenix, and Chandler AZ Sleep Dentistry 

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• OSA is a condition in which a person stops breathing repeatedly through the night.
• Breathing stops because the throat or “airway” collapses and prevents air from getting into the lungs.
• Sleep patterns are disrupted, resulting in excessive sleepiness or fatigue during the day.

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• Four percent of middle-aged men and two percent of middle-aged women in America have OSA.
• Most OSA sufferers remain undiagnosed and untreated.
• OSA is as common as adult asthma.

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• Most commonly, positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is NOT the treatment of choice for OSA. It is most invasive and does not always alleviate the symptoms of OSA, due to the fact only 30 out 100 people will wear this highly invasive machine while you sleep.
• Less commonly, surgery is done which may be effective in certain cases, but studies show that this sergury is only 35% effective, and very painful.
• The dental oral appliance is the the first defense  for mild to moderate sleep apnea, and is the easiest to use and least invasive way to treat sleep apnea. Studies show that 90 out of 100 people will wear this appliance
• Any treatment plan should include weight loss if needed, exercise, and avoidance of alcohol, sedatives, and hypnotics.

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How can an oral appliance treat snoring & sleep apnea?

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea can be treated with surgery, CPAP or BiPAP machines, or oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances are the least invasive treatment and the first choice of treatment for mild to moderate OSA. It involves the selection, fitting, and use of an appliance to hold the jaw forward and maintain an open airway in the throat during sleep.

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• High blood pressure
• Heart disease and heart attack
• Stroke
• Fatigue-related motor vehicle and work accidents
• Decreased quality of life

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• Extra tissue in the back of the airway, such as large tonsils
• Decrease in the tone of the muscles that hold the airway open
• The tongue falling back and closing off the airway

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