Snoring & Sleep Apnea

You're reading this, so either you or your sleeping partner has a problem with snoring. Drs. Art and Kim Mowery offer oral appliances to eliminate obnoxious, embarrassing snoring, and they also fabricate appliances to relieve obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening condition.

How are snoring and sleep apnea different?
Snoring is the sound of soft tissues vibrating in the throat and mouth as air passes in and out of the body. Apnea literally means a lapse in breath. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which airflow is completely blocked, for periods of 10 seconds or longer, repeatedly during a sleep cycle. Oftentimes, the lower jaw relaxes backward slightly during sleep, and this allows soft tissues to interfere with airflow. The body can't receive sufficient oxygen, so the brain tells it to wake up and breathe. Some patients awaken abruptly, choking or coughing and gasping for air. Others wake slightly, but never achieve deep, restful REM sleep, so they are continually tired, irritable, and forgetful.

What would my medical doctor say about a dentist-prescribed sleep apnea or snoring appliance?
A sleep apnea appliance is completely non-invasive, so there is no risk. In most cases, a doctor will recommend using a continuous positive air pressure machine, called a CPAP. This contraption features a main unit that compresses and emits air, a tube to direct the air, and a facemask to deliver consistent airflow to a patient's nose and mouth. Many people can't tolerate wearing the facemask or listening to the unit while trying to sleep. For others, the mask doesn't create a proper seal, so CPAP is ineffective. For CPAP-intolerant people, a dentist-prescribed snoreguard (or sleep appliance) poses a simple and effective solution.

How can a snoreguard work if CPAP didn't help me?
The CPAP forces air into the body, but a snoreguard is based on a completely different way of treating the same problem. Instead of using air to keep soft tissues clear of air passages, a snoreguard repositions the jaw to structurally eliminate blockage. These custom-fitted, comfortable oral appliances have helped countless people reclaim solid, sound rest and better quality of life.

Do the dentists diagnose sleep apnea?
A dentist can't diagnose sleep apnea. Dr. Art and Dr. Kim Mowery can recommend a sleep lab, where you'll undergo painless testing for sleep apnea diagnosis.

What causes sleep apnea?
Various factors contribute to a person's proclivity for sleep apnea. However, we know that males, people over 65, smokers, people who drink alcohol or use tranquilizers, those with high blood pressure, excessive weight, large necks, a narrow airway, or enlarged tonsils and adenoids are at higher risk

Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Call Exceptional Dentistry in Gainesville, FL today at 352-332-6725 to reserve your personal consultation with Dr. Art Mowery or Dr. Kim Mowery. Our Gainesville dental office serves families from Alachua, Newberry, High Springs, and surrounding communities. We look forward to providing a relaxing, rewarding dental care experience sure to bring about your best smile!