SomnoDent®

If you are a snorer or have been diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea dentist Bowling Green KY and cannot tolerate CPAP, then you may be a good candidate for the SomnoDent oral sleep appliance. The device consists of upper and lower dental plates that fit over your teeth, looking similar to a sports mouth guard. It is easily adjustable using a titration key, prevents grinding and clinching of the teeth and is silent.

The appliance gently repositions the lower jaw forward during sleep, keeping the airways open and reducing snoring and apnea episodes. It is a sleek design, so you can talk, yawn and drink with it in place and does not lock or fix the upper and lower jaw together like many other oral appliances.

The SomnoDent is also the first oral sleep appliance to include compliance recording technology. This allows physicians and dentists to ensure that patients are actually wearing the appliance for the prescribed amount of time, which is critical to its success.

Oral Appliances

Oral appliances are custom-fitted mouthpieces worn during sleep to reduce snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea. These small appliances can improve your quality of life and prevent serious health issues caused by untreated sleep apnea.

These devices fit over your teeth and move your jaw slightly forward to keep your airway open. They reduce snoring and increase oxygen flow, helping you wake up feeling refreshed and energized. They are also a popular alternative to CPAP therapy.

The most common type of oral appliance is the mandibular advancement device (MAD). This device moves your lower jaw into a more forward position, preventing it from collapsing during sleep and reducing snoring and OSA.
Tongue-stabilizing devices (TSD) are similar to MADs, but they use suction to hold your tongue in a more forward position instead of moving your jaw. These appliances are sometimes more comfortable than MADs and are a good option for people who have difficulty tolerating MADs.

Sleep Apnea Surgery

For people with severe obstructive sleep apnea dentist Bowling Green KY or those who can't tolerate noninvasive treatment, surgery may be an option. Doctors will recommend lifestyle adjustments, CPAP therapy or oral appliances before suggesting surgery.

Some common procedures include:

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: This involves removing the uvula, tonsils and parts of the soft palate to improve airflow. The surgeon will use small surgical tools to remove excess tissue from the mouth. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia.

Pillar palatal implants: This procedure involves placing three stiff strips of plastic into the soft palate. The scarring that develops stiffens the palate and prevents it from collapsing during sleep.
Genioglossus advancement: The muscles at the back of the tongue help keep the airway open. Surgery can shift these muscles forward to improve nighttime breathing.

Other types of surgery can involve reshaping the nose, jaw or chin. The otolaryngologist will determine the best option for you after a presurgical evaluation. This includes a sleep study using an endoscope to look at the throat and mouth while you're asleep.