Suite 101
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Tel: 714.230.2410
SNORING & SLEEP APNEA
Snoring is common in 40% of adults over 40. While not dangerous, it can be disturbing to others. Sleep Apnea is less Common and is found in 10-20% of adults and can be very dangerous. It is also known to reduce life expectancy by 8 years.
Some clinical signs of Obstructed Sleep Apnea are:
- Snoring: Intermittent with pauses
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS)
- Awakenings with gasping or choking
- Fragmented, non-refreshing, light sleep
- Poor memory, clouded intellect
- Irritability, personality changes
- Decreased sex drive, impotence
- Morning headaches
- Gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD)
Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) Epidemic
About 24% of men and 9% of women or 56 milion people based on US population have breathing symptoms of OSA (Obstructed Sleep Apnea) with or without daytime sleepiness. While about 80-90% percent of adults with OSA remain undiagnosed.
Prevalence of SDB among Medical Conditions
(Compiled by Dr. Michael Simmons)
- Hypertension 30% (Nieto - JAMA 2000)
- Drug Resistant Hypertension 83% (Logan - Hypertension 2001)
- Chronic Heart Failure (40%C 30%O) 76% (Oldenburg - Eur J Heart Failure)
- Congestive Heart Failure 85% (Jiang - Journal of Cardiac Failure)
- Atrial Fibrillation 49% (Gami-Nat Clin Pract Cardiovasc)
- Ischemic Heart Disease 38% (Mooe - Am J Respir Crit Care)
- Stroke 92%(NorAdina-Singapore Med J 2006)
- Medically Refractory Epilepsy 33% (Malow -Neurology 2000)
- Metabolic Syndrome 50% (Ambrosetti - J Cardiovasc Med 2006)
- Type II Diabetes 48% (Einhorn - Endocr Pract. 2007)
- Obese Diabetics 70% (Brooks – J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1994)
- Morbid Obesity Male 90% (Female 50% Fritscher- Obes Surg 2007)
- GERD (same for snoring as OSA) 60% (Valipour- Chest 2002)
Normal vs. Blocked Airway
Normally, air passes through the nose and past the flexible structures in the back of the throat such as the soft palate, uvula and tongue. During sleep the muscles relax but, normally, the airway stays open. And, Snoring is created by the vibration of the pharyngeal soft tissues as air passes through an airway that is too small to allow for smooth unimpeded flow.
Obstructed Sleep Apnea is more common in males than females and progressively worsens with age and increasing weight.
UnobstructedObstructed
Non-Surgical Management of Snoring & OSA
Snoring research has also shown that custom fabricated dental devices or Oral Appliance Therapy worn at night that move the lower jaw into a forward position, increase the three dimensional space in the airway tube which reduces air velocity and soft tissue vibration.* Other non-surgical options are:
- Avoidance of Risk Factors / Behavior Modification
- Pharmacologic Agents
- Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
*Schmidt-Nowara W, Lowe A et al, Oral Appliances for treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea: a review. Sleep 18(6): pp. 501-10, 1995.
Surgical Management of Snoring & OSA
- Tracheostomy
- Laser-Assisted Uvuloplasty
- Somnoplasty
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
- Maxillary / Mandibular Advancement
Diagnosis of OSA
The diagnosis of OSA is made by an overnight sleep study called a polysomnogramy (PSG). The PSG takes place in a hospital or sleep laboratory is the gold standard of sleep tests. To begin the study multiple electrodes are attached to the pateint by a sleep technician. Another option is to use one of a variety of home diagnostic systems. Home sleep studies can range from simple approaches such as oximetry to more complex devices that measure everything that the sleep laboratory study can do.
Positive Airway Pressure
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines deliver air under pressure through the nose using a nasal mask. Pressure creates a pneumatic splint in the upper airway and prevents obstruction from occuring.
Oral Appliances for the Management of Snoring and
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Mandibular Repositioning Appliances
- Tongue Retaining Appliances
- Combination Oral Appliances and CPAP
Sleep Appliances
Somnodent / Olmos Open Air-Sleep / Oasys
Dentistry's Role
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a life-threatening medical disorder. Dentists are not medically qualified nor legally permitted to diagnose sleep disorders. Diagnosis must be made by a physician. Dentists can screen and provide a physician referral as well as provide and monitor oral appliance therapy as part of treatment team with physician.
Our Process
1. Complete a sleep questionnaire on line
2.
Dr. Ahn reviews your questionnaire
3.
Schedule a sleep apnea screening appointment
4.
Take an at home sleep study
5.
Your results are reviewed by a physician and sleep technician to determine
your diagnosis
6.
Schedule a Review of Findings appointment with Dr. Ahn
7.
Proceed to recommended treatment
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