Oral Appliances More Effective and Comfortable than CPAP

When provided by doctors and dentists trained in sleep apnea, such as Dr. Shapira, oral appliances are a better option for the treatment of sleep apnea than CPAP. Patients who are prescribed CPAP complain about the noise of the machine, or the claustrophobic feeling of the mask, which can cause nightmares. Patients do not like feeling tethered by the hose. Some patients report problems with allergies, acne, bronchitis, dizziness, and dry mouth or nose, and many suffer chronic sinus infections. As a result, only about 23-45 % of patients actually use their CPAP machine, meaning that their sleep apnea goes untreated and they continue to suffer the dangers of this condition.

Patients given the choice between CPAP and an oral appliance will generally choose the oral appliance, and because it is more comfortable, they will actually use their oral appliances and experience relief.

The comfort and relief provided make oral appliances a more effective sleep apnea treatment in most cases, and that is the reason why Dr. Shapira trains dentists and doctors in the use of oral appliance therapy for the treatment of sleep apnea. Dentists trained with Dr. Shapira provide oral appliance treatment in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Dallas, Texas; Tampa Bay, Florida to Palo Alto, California.

If you have either been prescribed CPAP, and either cannot use it or would rather try a better alternative, contact Dr. Shapira at the Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment Center today to learn how oral appliances can provide relief.

Ringing in the Ears or Tinnitus? You Could Be a Victim of the Great Impostor.

Many people experience an occasional ringing in the ears, but for some this phenomenon becomes persistent and may even lead to a reduction in productivity, an increase in irritability, and a general decrease in one's quality of life. In seeking treatment, people may see some of the best experts in the field of medicine, but still find no relief, despite many years and much money spent on numerous treatments and medications.

Why can something so simple be so hard to treat? Because it is often due to what is known as temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), one of the hardest conditions to treat because it masquerades as so many other things. If you look at a partial list of the symptoms, you can see why. In addition to tinnitus, symptoms for TMD include:

· Headaches

· Facial and/or sinus pain

· Earache

· Dizziness

· Shoulder, neck, and other muscle pain

· Sleep disorders

· Irritable bowel, abdominal pain, and gastric reflux are often associated secondarily

Looking at the symptoms, it's easy to see why TMD can be confused with one or more other illnesses. If you have tinnitus or any of these other symptoms, and your doctor has been unable to provide relief, you should consult with a neuromuscular dentist. These specially-trained dentists specialize in treatment of TMD and its related symptoms.

Dr. Ira Shapira, founder of the Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment Center, is a neuromuscular dentist who can provide relief for TMD and its symptoms. Please contact him today to schedule a consultation.

The Effectiveness of the SomnoDent MAS

The SomnoDent MAS (Mandibular Advancement Splint) is a relatively simple oral appliance for the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. It is manufactured by the SomnoMed corporation. Compared to both CPAP and most other oral appliances, it represents a minimalist solution to the problem of snoring and sleep apnea. The SomnoDent consists of two pieces that are custom-fitted to the teeth of the patient. One piece has flanges that fit into pockets in the other piece to maintain the jaw in an appropriate position during sleep.

Although it is a minimalist solution, it is highly effective. Objective studies showed that 63 % of patients treated with the device saw complete cessation of clinical obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (reduction of apneic events to less than 5 per hour) or a 50 % improvement in their apnea/hypoxia index, a measure of blood oxygen levels during sleep. This includes mild, moderate, and severe sleep apnea sufferers. Studies also showed that SomnoDent users saw an increase in REM sleep, and a reduction in waking.

SomnoDent also improved snoring. On average, snorers saw a 43 % reduction in the number of snores per hour. The snoring was also quieter. Both the average snoring volume and the maximum snoring volume were reduced by 3 decibels.

Subjectively, 83 % of SomnoDent users said they had "significant improvement" in snoring, sleep quality, and reduction of daytime sleepiness. Its ease of use meant that 86 % of patients reported using the device every night. And the combination of comfort and effectiveness led 96 % of patients to say they would continue using SomnoDent MAS.

Because it is a minimalist solution, SomnoDent also has the benefit of being less expensive than other snoring and sleep apnea treatment options. If you would like to learn more about this inexpensive and effective treatment option, contact the Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment Center in Gurney, Illinois, today for a free initial consultation.

How to Correct the Sinus and Ear Pain of CPAP

Many users of CPAP complain about frequent sinus and ear pain. This pain can be the result of the positive pressure being forced into the otolaryngal cavity.

Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the relaxation of soft tissues in the throat, which then collapse, constricting the airways. CPAP works by forcing enough air pressure into these airways to keep them open. However, air pressure cannot be selective. It fills the entire otolaryngal cavity, which means that the same pressure that is holding your airway open is pushing against your ears and your sinuses. This can lead to sinus pain and ear pain.

CPAP can be compared to carpet bombing an entire city to root out one nest of radicals, while in many cases what you really need is a targeted solution, a "smart bomb" that goes right to the source of your obstructive sleep apnea and leaves the rest of your airway alone.

For many people, oral appliances are that smart bomb. By correcting the actual obstructive configuration of tissues, oral appliances are a targeted therapy that corrects your sleep apnea without the collateral damage left by CPAP.

Stop fighting so hard against your sleep apnea that you do more harm than good. Instead, contact the Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment Center today to learn how you can fight smart and sleep better without sinus and ear pain.