Daniel R. Melnick D.D.S

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Laurel, Columbia, Fulton, Silver Spring - Maryland

If you suffer from chronic snoring, you might be putting your long term health in jeopardy. Frequently, snoring is an indication that you suffer from a condition called obstructive sleep apnea.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder that obstructs your sleep cycles by causing stoppages in your breathing. Every time your breathing is interrupted, your body moves from deep sleep into a lighter sleep cycle to restart the breathing process. Often, sleep apnea sufferers will experience hundreds of breathing stoppages a night.

This condition is caused by an air passage blockage resulting from a collapse in the soft tissue at the back of your throat and tongue. These pauses in your breathing reduce the amount of oxygen that is delivered to your heart and brain, leading to high blood pressure and an increased heart rate.

People suffering from obstructive sleep apnea generally exhibit the following symptoms:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Loud snoring
• Observable stoppages in breathing while sleeping
• Abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath
• Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Morning headache
• Insomnia

Health Complications Associated with Sleep Apnea

If you suffer from sleep apnea, it is important to seek treatment immediately. It is a very serious disorder and can put you at risk for many health complications down the road. Some of the most common complications include:

• Cardiovascular problems
• Stroke
• Daytime fatigue
• Memory impairment
• Depression
• Impotence
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Obesity
• Migraines
• Diabetes

Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry Can Help

Sleep apnea is very treatable using the principles of neuromuscular dentistry. Dr. Melnick and his highly skilled staff use a custom fitted mandibular advancement splint to open up your airway while you sleep.

A mandibular advancement splint is a mouthpiece worn during sleep to prevent your soft throat tissues from collapsing and blocking your air path. The mouth piece accomplishes its goal in one of three ways:

• Bringing your lower jaw forward
• Lifting your soft palate
• Stopping your tongue from falling back over your windpipe

Mandibular advancement splints are effective in treating mild to moderate cases of obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Melnick will also provide you with a home monitoring system to make sure that the appliance is properly titrated, ensuring that you receive the maximum benefit from your treatment.

The dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry are highly trained in obstructive sleep apnea treatment, and can help alleviate all of your snoring and sleep apnea problems. Please contact our Laurel, Maryland cosmetic dentistry office today to schedule a consultation. We serve Columbia, Fulton, Laurel, and Silver Spirng Maryland.