OSA is a complete cessation of breathing while you are sleeping for more than 10 seconds at a time. Your body struggles to survive during these episodes because it is deprived of oxygen which can lead to daytime sleepiness, headache, automobile accidents, heart disease, arterial disease, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, GERD, and even death.

Snoring and sleep apnea occur when the soft tissue structures of the upper airway collapse, resulting in a narrowed airway opening. The snoring sound is caused by the vibration of these tissues. Complete closure of the airway is an “apnea event,” which means that no air is getting into the lungs.

The causal factors may be:
• Structural – narrow jaw, large tongue, enlarged tonsils, enlarged adenoids, thick soft palate, small nasal valve, or deviated septum
• Other factors – allergies, over consumption of alcohol, sedatives, smoking, and disruption of normal sleep patterns, or decreased lung capacity (often caused by obesity)

There are many options for treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and the one best suited to your situation should be discussed with your physician. One option is Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) that is carried out under the guidance of your physician by us. Many patients with OSA prefer OAT due to its ease of adaptation and efficacy.

By recognizing those patients most likely to have OSA and referring them to the appropriate physician to diagnose and treat their life-threatening disease, we can help you to live a longer healthier life.

Dr. Maestro is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, a distinction held by those dentists committed to the science of collaboration treatment of sleep related breath disorders.

It is a removable device worn in the mouth during sleep that helps control sleep apnea and snoring, thus improving sleep quality. The appliance gently positions the lower jaw and tongue slightly forward. This opens space in the back of the throat and reduces tissue obstruction to help keep your airway open and clear during sleep.

Sleep Apnea may pose serious health risks since it disrupts normal sleep patterns and can reduce normal blood oxygen levels. This can result in problems such as daytime sleepiness, driving and work related accidents, irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, obesity, and memory and learning problems. By wearing an oral appliance during sleep, your body may be able to maintain higher blood oxygen levels and lessen the severity of problems associated with sleep-disordered breathing.

Your physician will let you know if Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is an option. We are happy to offer a complimentary examination after your diagnosis to see if you are in fact an excellent candidate for OAT.

Since Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is a medical problem with a dental solution it is up to your medical insurer to consider coverage. Many plans do, some do not. We can help you to determine the nature and extent of your coverage and are happy to do so as a courtesy to you.