Services
Snoring & Sleep Apnea Treatment
Snoring, forgetfulness, daytime lethargy, falling asleep at inappropriate times, low stamina, lack of concentration, depression, impotence… these are some of the side effects of sleep disordered breathing. You may not think to tell your dentist about symptoms such as these, but you should!
Dr. Jarvis has recently completed a mini residency program at UCLA on sleep medicine. This five part course involved extensive study over several months. As a graduate, Dr. Jarvis now has the knowledge, expertise, and credentials to help people who snore, or who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
During his studies on sleep apnea, Dr. Jarvis also researched profacial pain, sleep bruxism, (nighttime clenching and grinding), medical conditions that relate to sleep disorders, temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), and sleep disorders in children and adolescents.
Snoring is the sound produced when tissues in the mouth and throat vibrate as air is forced past during breathing. Sleep apnea literally means "sleep without air". Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form of the condition, is a serious disease and occurs when the relaxed soft tissues in the mouth and throat completely block the airway. A person with obstructive sleep apnea breathing for 10 seconds or more, and this can occur hundreds of times in a single night. And the sleeper may be completely unaware of this condition!
When the brain realizes that it isn't receiving adequate oxygen, it reacts by partially awakening the body and re-initiating breathing. In more sever events, the OSA sufferer awakens suddenly, snorting, choking, coughing, or gasping for air. Because of the repeated cycles of apnea awakenings, and resultant fragmented sleep, an OSA sufferer never reaches the deep, refreshing REM stage of sleep that allows the body to re-energize.
As a result, many negative biochemical and neurochemical events occur, and as a result there is a definite correlation between sleep apnea and high blood pressure. Research shows a probable link to diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease, carious cardiac diseases, and even sudden nocturnal death. Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea may be caused by the lower jaw's position during sleep. When we fall asleep, our muscles relax – including our facial and tongue muscles. The jaw can slide back, which slows soft tissues to block the airway.
The first line of treatment for sleep apnea may include CPAP machines, and while they are very effective, they are not easily tolerated. Surgery of the throat and mouth is another option. But with a sleep study from a sleep lab, and a team approach with your physician, Dr. Jarvis can assist you in the treatment of this disorder with a non-invasive, non-surgical oral appliance. Worn much like an athletic mouth guard, an oral appliance can keep the jaw in proper position, and thus allow free airflow during sleep.
If you suffer from the symptoms mentioned above, or if your spouse tells you that your snoring is out of control, it's time to see a doctor – Dr. Jeffrey Jarvis. Call us today to schedule your consultation, and we will set you on the path to a peaceful, refreshing sleep and silent nights.
