Sleep Apnea

If you snore loudly all night, you could have sleep apnea. The noise may bother your entire household – and you too, if you’re waking yourself throughout the night. Getting a less restful night’s sleep is bad enough – but research has also linked apnea to several serious health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and dementia.

If you have apnea, we can fit you for a sleep apnea oral appliance that is:

• Noninvasive
• Comfortable to wear
• Less expensive than other sleep apnea treatments
• Easier to transport than a CPAP machine
• Unlikely to cause dry mouth or other issues common with a CPAP

To test for sleep apnea, Dr. Chad Barber will painlessly measure your nasal passages and airways using a tool called a pharyngometer/rhinometer. The tool tells him a lot about the size and stability of your airway. With the results, he can refer you to a sleep specialist for a formal sleep apnea diagnosis. With that diagnosis, many insurance plans will cover the cost of a custom oral appliance.

One of the most common causes of sleep apnea is an airway blocked by throat and tongue muscles that relax when you sleep. An appliance gently shifts your jaw forward to keep your airway open and unobstructed. Once you start wearing your appliance, Dr. Barber can also use the pharyngometer/rhinometer to measure the effectiveness of this sleep apnea treatment.

The two most common methods of sleep apnea treatment are an oral appliance and a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. The appliance works by shifting your jaw into a position that keeps your airway open. A CPAP machine sends a constant flow of pressurized air into your airway to keep it clear.

Your doctor will help you determine which will work best, depending on the severity of your apnea and other factors. However, neither method will work if you don’t use it regularly. Many people prefer an appliance because it’s:

• Less invasive. An appliance doesn’t obstruct your face like a CPAP machine mask, and there’s no tubing to deal with.
• More convenient. You don’t need to worry about batteries or electricity to use your appliance. It works as well in a tent as in your bedroom. It won’t get you pulled aside as you go through the security line at the airport, as a CPAP machine might.