Sleep Apnea & Snoring:

Nearly 100 million people in the world are affected by sleep apnea. Failing to address this sleep condition can have severe health consequences, including heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, or even death. Finding an effective treatment is the best way for sleep apnea patients to reduce their risk of these dangerous health conditions. Dr. Minch has treated many patients’ sleep apnea with custom oral appliances. Patients who snore (unrelated to sleep apnea) have also found relief with oral appliance therapy. 

Sleep Apnea Symptoms: 

  • Snoring 

  • Waking up through the night 

  • Snorting, gasping, or choking while sleeping

  • Morning headaches

  • Waking up with dry mouth or a sore throat 

  • Irritability 

  • Fatigue 

  • Difficulties concentrating 

What is Sleep Apnea? 

Although there are three types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most prevalent. OSA occurs because, during sleep, the muscles in the throat relax and collapse. This causes the airway to close, and your brain is quickly altered to reopen it. Narrow dental arches or underdeveloped jaws can obstruct airways, as well. The body will choke, snort, or gasp to help the person breathe. Patients with OSA can experience this event hundreds of times in just one night, severely impacting their sleep quality. 

Patients with OSA experience poor sleep because the interruptions prevent them from achieving deep sleep. As a result, most patients with untreated OSA struggle from daily exhaustion. However, exhaustion is not the only negative consequence of this condition; OSA can contribute to patients developing various ailments, including stroke, heart attack, and diabetes. Sleep apnea has been linked to 38,000 cardiovascular deaths annually. 

Why Do People Snore? 

Snoring is a common sleep apnea symptom. However, just because a patient snores, doesn’t mean they definitely have sleep apnea. Nightly snorers without sleep apnea experience their own set of challenges. Their loud sleeping habits can keep family members up at night and cause a chronic sore throat. 

Snoring typically occurs because the person has a narrow airway from a nose or throat condition, consuming alcohol, back-sleeping, or being overweight. Oral appliances have helped countless patients get a silent night's rest. 

Pediatric Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can affect both children and adults. An underdeveloped jaw or compromised airway are common culprits of sleep apnea in children. Sleep apnea is treatable in kids, but failing to address this issue can affect the child’s mood, behavior, energy, and vitality. 

Pediatric Sleep Apnea Symptoms

  • ADD/ADHD

  • Bedwetting 

  • Allergies 

  • Academic issues 

  • Irritability

  • Headaches 

  • Snoring 

  • Poor sleep quality 

  • Aggressive behavior 

  • Drowsiness 

  • Nightmares 

  • Oral misalignments 

Sleep Apnea Diagnosis Process

If you think you might have sleep apnea, seeking medical attention for a formal diagnosis is the first step. Physicians are the only individuals who can diagnose sleep apnea, but Dr. Minch can help you find a qualified physician for an evaluation. You will either have to take a home sleep test or visit a sleep clinic, so a doctor can analyze your sleep and check for signs of sleep apnea. Come back to us if you receive a sleep apnea diagnosis. Dr. Mich will examine your airways to determine the best course of treatment. 

Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea

Physicians typically instruct patients with sleep apnea to use a CPAP machine. Although this machine is effective at treating the condition, it is often uncomfortable, loud, hard to travel with, and costly. Since CPAP machines are so uncomfortable, many patients stop using them after a few weeks. 

Oral appliances often offer the same relief as the CPAP machine but are much more comfortable and convenient to wear. We offer several types of oral appliances to reach a wide variety of patients’ needs. Each oral appliance is custom-made to fit the patient’s mouth and needs perfectly. Dr. Minch’s goal is to find a solution that works for you, so you will use it consistently. Consistent use is key to reducing a patient’s risk of developing serious conditions. 

Benefits of Oral Appliances

  • Comfortable: Wearing an oral appliance feels just like wearing a retainer or mouthguard. No one will be able to even tell you are wearing it.  

  • Convenient: Unlike CPAP machines, oral appliances are small and can be stored in your toiletry bag.

  • Cost-Effective: Insurance often covers oral appliances. If yours doesn’t, oral appliances are still cheaper than a CPAP machine.