Sleep Apnea IS a Health Risk

Sleeping Disorders like Snoring, Sleep Apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) & Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) have literally become an epidemic. Especially in our own Backyard!

Conservative estimates place patients with sleep disorders at 12 percent of the public.  These people are shaving years off their lives by adding stress to their heart muscles.  But a scarier fact is… they’re endangering all of us.

These folks just aren’t getting enough good sleep.  They are constantly tired, and are at risk of falling asleep behind the wheel of a car.  A sleep-deprived person is as high a risk for causing an accident as someone impaired by excessive alcohol consumption.

But, an interrupted night’s sleep isn’t the real problem
A patient with sleep apnea is three to five times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke, and is seven times more likely to die in his or her sleep. 

As our population gets increasingly overweight, the percentage of the population that suffers from sleep apnea increases.  But this problem is not confined to middle-aged men who may be carrying some extra weight.

The Problem with Treatment
Why is the problem so prevalent? Many people think snoring is normal, not a sign of a health problem. Others refuse to be tested and diagnosed with sleep apnea because they know what the most common recommended therapy is – a CPAP (continuing positive airway pressure) machine. The CPAP is both uncomfortable and inconvenient. It’s essentially a gas mask, worn over the face or nose, attached to a hose of forced oxygen provided by a noisy machine.  No wonder compliance is terrible! Many patients think it’s just easier to suffer from the snoring than to try to sleep wearing a CPAP face mask.

An Alternative to CPAP
At the Coleman Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer a convenient, comfortable alternative to sleep apnea treatment – a custom made oral appliance. We can fabricate an oral appliance that is worn only while you sleep. It has no machine, no mask.  A patient can talk with it in his mouth, and even drink from a glass.  Best of all, these patients can once again get a good, restful, healthy night’s sleep in the same room as their spouse.

If you snore, know someone who does, or know a non-compliant CPAP patient, please call 858-748-4802 or click here for a free evaluation to see if this non-invasive, non-surgical therapy would be right for you!