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Cosmetic Dentist
in Buffalo, Amherst, Lancaster and Orchard Park, New York
Snoring Treatment
Snoring is one of the most common and annoying problems that cosmetic dentists treat every day. Many people think that snoring is just something that they have to live with, and often times, spouses and partners just resign themselves to the fact that they will never get a full, un-interrupted night's sleep due to the lawnmower sounds made by the loved one lying next to them.
Simply put, snoring is caused by a partially obstructed airway. When we sleep, the soft tissue and muscles in our mouth and throat relax, causing the airway to become smaller. If the airway becomes small enough, your soft palate and uvula begin to vibrate when you inhale and exhale. These vibrations are the cause of much of the sound we call snoring.
According to sleep studies, almost 50% of the general population snores at least occasionally, and 25% of the population are habitual snorers. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), people who snore have three times as many automobile accidents as people who do not snore because snoring is a strong indication that you may suffer from a condition known as sleep apnea. This is a condition characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. These episodes, called apneas, each last long enough so one or more breaths are missed and occur repeatedly throughout a sleep cycle.
Sleep apnea can reveal itself in a number of ways including:
- Tiredness
- Sore throat
- High blood pressure
- Short term memory problems
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Lethargy
- Poor job/school performance
- Restlessness and tossing and turning during sleep
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- Insomnia
People who suffer from snoring and sleep apnea lose so much sleep in a night that it affects their daily living and can lead to serious medical problems.
Treatment
Depending on the severity of your snoring, treatment can vary greatly. Some people just need to make simple lifestyle changes including refraining from alcohol and caffeine at night, losing weight, changing position of pillows, or making dietary changes.
Other patients may benefit from a specially designed oral appliance, which prevents airway blockage. More severe cases may require surgery to prevent upper airway obstruction.
Dr. Evola, Buffalo cosmetic dentist, will perform a thorough examination, and after his evaluation is complete, he will sit with you and discuss which treatment options are best suited to your needs. Oral appliance therapy has proven to be highly effective in treating many of our patients. These FDA-approved devices treat snoring and sleep apnea by preventing airway obstruction and allowing you to breathe easily and continuously. Worn in the mouth like an orthodontic appliance during sleep, appliances keep the soft tissue from collapsing and interrupting normal breathing patterns. They can reposition the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate and hyoid bone into a certain position to keep the airway open. Your appliance will be custom made by using a mold to fit your mouth perfectly.
If you would like to learn more about snoring and snoring treatments, please contact LVI-trained cosmetic dentist, Dr. Lawrence Evola at Forestream Dental Group serving Buffalo, Amherst, Lancaster, or Williamsville, New York today to schedule your initial sleep apnea consultation.
Creating Smiles and Changing Lives. Every Day.
4711 Transit Road, Forestream Village
Depew, New York 14043
E-mail Us • (716)656-8686
