Sleep Apnea Solutions - Anaheim Hills

Sleep Apnea: The Not-So-Silent Epidemic.

While snoring is not harmful to the snorer, it can be disruptive to bed partners and other household members causing sleepless nights and marital discord. Loud, constant snoring can, however, be an indication of a potentially life-threatening disease called obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when air cannot flow in or out of a person's nose or mouth although efforts to breathe continue. These episodes of breathing obstruction can disrupt sleep leading to daytime sleepiness and can be the cause of cardiac problems.

What causes snoring?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when the tongue and soft palate collapse onto the back of the throat.

This blocks the upper airway, causing air flow to stop.When the oxygen level drops low enough, the brain moves out of deep sleep and the individual partially awakens. The airway then contracts and opens, causing the obstruction in the throat to clear. The flow of air starts again, usually with a loud gasp. When the air flow starts again, you then move back into a deep sleep. The airway muscles collapse, as you awaken with a gasp. The airway clears once again as the process repeats itself. This scenario may occur many times during the night. The combination of low oxygen levels and fragmented sleep are the major contributors to most of the ill effects that the sleep apnea patient suffers. In addition to excessive daytime sleepiness, studies show that sleep apnea patients are much more likely to suffer from heart problems (heart attack, congestive heart failure, hypertension), strokes, as well as having a higher incidence of work related and driving related accidents.

Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Since OSA is a serious medical condition, it must be diagnosed by a physician. Diagnosis is based on the results of an overnight sleep study, called a polysomnogram (PSG). Other factors of determining OSA are patient evaluation and history.

Treatment Options.

Good sleep hygiene, weight loss, and exercise are some helpful OSA treatments a patient can practice on their own. However, medical and dental treatments are also available and often necessary to fix the problem, including Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machines, Oral Appliance Therapy, and/or surgery.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machines: No one likes them.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is pressurized air generated from a bedside machine. The air is delivered through a tube, connected to a mask, covering the nose. The force of the pressurized air splints the airway open. The CPAP opens the airway like air into a balloon; when air is blown into the balloon, it opens and gets wider. This is exactly how CPAP clears the airway. The problem is that within a year of diagnosis, the vast majority of patients stop using the machines, not to mention the hassle of plugging them in and cleaning all the parts, and the annoying noise.

Oral Appliance Therapy: Easy, Affordable, and They Actually Get Used!

We are pleased to offer Oral Appliance Therapy because they work, they are affordable, they are easy, and require little to no maintenance. As a bonus, patients actually use them over time.

Our oral appliances reposition the jaw and tongue to a more forward position during sleep. This helps keep the airway open controlling snoring and minimizing obstructive sleep apnea leading to less loss of sleep, more restful nights, less daytime fatigue and heart disease.

Oral appliances are worn in the mouth to treat snoring and OSA. These devices are similar to orthodontic retainers or sports mouth guards. Oral Appliance Therapy involves the selection, design, fitting and use of a custom designed oral appliance that is worn during sleep. This appliance then attempts to maintain an opened, unobstructed airway in the throat. There are many different oral appliances available. Approximately 40 appliances have been approved through the FDA for treatment of snoring and/or Sleep Apnea. Oral appliances may be used alone or in combination with other means of treating OSA. These means include general health, weight management, surgery, or CPAP. Oral appliances work in several ways:

  • Repositioning the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate and uvula
  • Stabilizing the lower jaw and tongue
  • Increasing the muscle tone of the tongue

Dr. Ringer has specialized training in Oral Appliance Therapy, and is familiar with the various designs of appliances. He can determine which one is best suited for your specific needs and will work with your physician as part of the medical team in your diagnosis, treatment, and on-going care. Determining the proper therapy can only be made by joint consultation of Dr. Ringer and your physician. If you or a loved one may be suffering from Sleep Apnea, call our office today to schedule a consultation and we’ll see what we can do to take care of you, for life.