Sleep-related breathing disorders, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, affect millions of people and can have serious consequences for your health and quality of life. At Park Center Family Dentistry, Dr. Tran offers dental sleep medicine solutions designed to help you breathe easier and sleep more soundly. If you or your partner have noticed loud snoring, gasping during sleep, or chronic daytime fatigue, a dental appliance may provide the relief you need.
Dr. Tran works in collaboration with sleep physicians to ensure you receive a proper diagnosis and the most effective treatment. Dental sleep therapy is an excellent alternative for patients who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or who are unable to tolerate CPAP therapy.
Snoring Treatment
Snoring occurs when the soft tissues of the throat relax during sleep and partially obstruct the airway, causing vibrations as air passes through. While snoring on its own may seem like a minor nuisance, it can disrupt the sleep of both you and your partner and may be an early indicator of obstructive sleep apnea. A custom oral appliance can reduce or eliminate snoring by maintaining an open airway, helping everyone in the household enjoy a better night’s rest.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition in which the airway becomes repeatedly blocked during sleep, causing breathing to stop and start throughout the night. Left untreated, OSA is associated with increased risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and daytime drowsiness that can affect your work and safety. If you have been diagnosed with OSA or suspect you may have it, Dr. Tran can evaluate whether oral appliance therapy is an appropriate option for your treatment plan.
Getting Started with a Sleep Test
Before beginning oral appliance therapy, a proper diagnosis from a sleep medicine physician is essential. If you have never had a sleep test or do not currently work with a sleep medicine doctor, we recommend visiting Sleep Care America to get started. A sleep study will help determine the type and severity of your condition, which allows Dr. Tran to recommend the most effective treatment for your needs. Once you have a diagnosis in hand, our team can move forward with designing your custom appliance.
Oral Appliance Therapy
An oral appliance is a custom-fitted device worn during sleep that gently repositions the lower jaw and tongue to help keep the airway open. Similar in size to a sports mouthguard or orthodontic retainer, the appliance is comfortable, portable, and easy to care for. Many patients find oral appliance therapy far more convenient than a CPAP machine, and compliance rates tend to be significantly higher. Dr. Tran will take precise impressions of your teeth to fabricate an appliance that fits securely and comfortably, and he will adjust it as needed to optimize your results.
Our Partnership with SomnoMed
Park Center Family Dentistry is proud to partner with SomnoMed, a global leader in oral appliance therapy for sleep-related breathing disorders. SomnoMed has treated over one million patients worldwide, and their devices are backed by extensive clinical research demonstrating their effectiveness in reducing sleep apnea symptoms and improving quality of life.
The SomnoDent Avant Appliance
We offer the SomnoDent Avant, SomnoMed’s most advanced oral appliance. The Avant is precision-milled from a single piece of pre-cured dental acrylic using computer-aided design, resulting in a device that is thinner, stronger, and more comfortable than traditional oral appliances. Key features of the SomnoDent Avant include:
- Bflex Comfort Liner: A soft inner liner cradles and cushions your teeth, improving comfort and minimizing tooth movement during wear.
- Custom Fit: Each appliance is designed from a digital scan of your teeth using CAD software and built with computer-controlled milling for a precise, personalized fit.
- Easy Adjustment: The strap-based coupling system allows for simple titration in 1mm increments, so Dr. Tran can fine-tune the appliance to optimize your results over time.
- Natural Jaw Movement: The design promotes side-to-side jaw movement while gently keeping your mouth closed, encouraging nasal breathing and preventing dry mouth.
In clinical studies, the vast majority of patients report that the SomnoDent Avant is comfortable to wear and that their sleep quality improved significantly with use.
If you are struggling with snoring or sleep apnea, contact our office to learn how dental sleep medicine can help you reclaim restful, healthy sleep.