Sleep Apnea-Thomas V. Autobee, D.D.S.

Discovering Answers to Snoring and
Sleep Apnea

Moderate to severe levels of snoring may really be obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) otherwise termed "sleep disordered breathing." Sleep apnea is associated with cardiovascular disease, daytime sleepiness and even increased mortality. The cost of sleep-related motor vehicle accidents has been said to average nearly $50 billion per year. To correctly identify the disorder, there are simple, cost-effective sleep screening tools used by a qualified sleep dentist.

For 20 million Americans, the ability to maintain regular breathing during sleep is difficult. As a result, they do not receive the necessary amount of oxygen their body needs to rejuvenate from proper, restful, sleep.

CAUSES
Snoring is a noise produced by a vibration of the soft palate and sides of the throat when air rushes against them. The sound occurs when the airway is narrow or collapses and the muscles fail to maintain their normal function. There are several causes for snoring that include fat deposits in the throat, large tonsils or long soft palate or uvula (the protrusion in the back of the throat). For many adults, snoring does not involve a serious medical disorder. However, it is important to know that people who snore may be experiencing the first sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

SYMPTOMS
Snoring or sleep apnea needs to be evaluated to determine answers to the problem. Complaints from poor sleeping habits may include:

	Daytime sleepiness
	Dry mouth and throat
	Memory loss
	Anxiety or depression
	Morning headaches
	Irritability
	Inability to concentrate
	Reduced sex drive

Other, more serious, common effects of disrupted sleep may be increased blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. Therefore, it is easy to see why finding a solution is so critical.

HOW IS IT IDENTIFIED
Screening tests the sleep dentist performs may include:

	Performing an oral examination and evaluation on the head, neck and facial area, teeth and supporting structures.
	Upper and lower dental impressions may be taken as well as lateral cephalographs and x-rays of the upper and lower dental arches for study of the jaw position and airway potential.
	Using a non-invasive instrument called an Eccovision® Pharyngometer/Rhinometer.

The Pharyngometer/Rhinometer, used with a computer, assesses both the oral and nasal airway extending

Pharmygometrythroat measures throat airway
Pharnygometry measures throat airway

into the throat area. The pharyngometer is the first accurate, non-invasie, yet cost-effective screening technique to identify patients at risk for OSA.

Rhinometrynasal measures nasal airway
Rhinometry measures nasal airway

During the test, the patient is asked to breathe into the tube. Sound waves travel through the mouth into the throat area and are then reflected back and measured. The equipment records the information in the form of a graph that is then interpreted by the dentist.

The patient is awake and alert at all times. This initial screening can be accomplished in as little as five minutes and is easy and quick.

Pharyngometry/Rhinometry offers to the dentist the first non-invasive, three-dimensional view of the pharyngeal (throat) and nasal airways using sound waves much like sonar on a submarine. With this unique equipment, the dental sleep professional can:

See if a patient has a narrow airway and or collapsible airway (these are indications of possible sleep apnea).
Determine if the patient's mandible (lower jaw) responds positively to vertical and/or anterior (forward) positioning, which shows if an oral appliance will have a positive effect on the airway. If not, the appliance would not be appropriate at this time.
Evaluate whether the nasal airway is blocked by mucous and/or structural damage since this can be part of the noise of snoring.
Determine the proper positioning for an oral appliance. With the use of this state-of-the-art equipment, the sleep professional does not guess at oral appliance positioning. He can actually prescribe the correct appliance to treat the snoring and/or apneic condition.

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