Snoring is caused by a blocked airway. The tongue falls backward during sleep and can fully or partially block the airway. The body then struggles to obtain air, and causes the vibration we call snoring.
Much of the time the body will continue to get just enough air so there will be very little harm. However, this condition is one of the signs that sleep apnea could be right around the corner.
After a referral from a physician for sleep apnea, you will receive a dental examination by Dr. Athena Graves. She will discuss all options, advantages, limitations and consequences with you.
After you are fit with the oral appliance that should work best for you, we'll take any needed time to adjust the appliance to a comfortable and effective position. We then recommend a follow-up evaluation by the referring physician to objectively document the effectiveness of the therapy. We like to see all of our sleep patients twice per year, long term, during active treatment to ensure the integrity of the oral structures and continued effectiveness of the treatment. There is a 96% success rate for people treated with these appliances!
