Are you or your sleeping partner struggling with snoring? Heavy snoring could be a sign of sleep apnea, a potentially life threatening condition.
Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea, but you are tired of fighting with a CPAP? CPAPs are only one option to treat sleep apnea. If you are not wearing your CPAP or are constantly waking up unable to sleep while wearing it, there is another option!

Alternative treatment options are available and Dr. Brandon Pollard has fabricated many types of oral appliances to help patients who suffer from sleep apnea. Oral appliances are a more comfortable and convenient alternative to CPAP machines. At Bogey Hills Dental you will receive a custom made oral appliance to wear at night. It is not at all like the generic snoring appliances available at the store or available to order on TV. It fits tightly over your teeth like a retainer, and helps patients suffering from sleep apnea (and their spouses) get a better night’s sleep without the discomfort caused by many CPAP machines.

Sleep apnea is often characterized by loud snoring and this causes a sleeping person to stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night. The lack of oxygen signals to the brain to wake up and breathe. Some patients with sleep apnea wake up completely, while most only move into a lighter stage of sleep. The cycle continues throughout the night, many times over a hundred times in a single night! Since a patient suffering from sleep apnea is continually waking up, they do not get the deep, restorative sleep they need to feel rested each day. Snoring can also disrupt the sleep of those around you, causing your sleeping partner to also not get a restorative night of sleep.

Sleep apnea occurs as the result of a blocked airway, most often due to the position of the tongue, or the size and shape of the airways. Disrupted sleep affects a patient’s mood, but more importantly it can also negatively affect their health.

While people with sleep apnea think they are resting, their body is expending energy fighting for air. They may wake up more tired and exhausted than when they went to sleep. As a result, they never achieve the important deep, restful sleep that is important to restore energy levels. People suffering from sleep apnea never feel refreshed and are often tired throughout the day. The negative effects on the body caused by sleep distress and decreased oxygen levels in the blood may cause:

• High blood pressure
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Heart attack and Stroke
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Inability to concentrate
• Weight gain

Many patients claim that after starting sleep apnea treatment with an oral appliance from Dr. Pollard, their lives are dramatically improved because their energy levels are restored.

While the CPAP remains a viable option for treating sleep apnea, many patients suffering with sleep apnea prefer the alternative of a simple dental appliance. Many people find they simply can’t use their CPAP often enough or long enough. If you are not using your CPAP machine all night every night, it’s as bad as no treatment at all. Dr. Pollard can custom fit you for a comfortable oral appliance that re-positions the jaw and tongue, and opens the airways giving you a more restful night’s sleep. Please call our office to set up a complimentary airway evaluation and start the process towards a great night’s sleep!