Midtown Dental Services

People snore for several reasons, including poor jaw position or having a large or floppy soft palate (uvula). Being overweight or drinking alcohol may exacerbate the situation.

Many people are requesting sleep studies to diagnose “sleep apnea,” chronic difficulties in breathing during sleep. As a treatment for sleep apnea, some patients purchase medical devices that regulate their night-time oxygen intake. However, these devices do not solve the problem for everyone, and as a “next step” physicians often recommend a surgical procedure or jaw repositioning device.

One surgical solution is to cut the uvula, a painful process with no guarantee of success. Another procedure insert stiffing rods to prop the uvula open.

Jaw repositioning devices are often sufficient for most people, and come in several varieties. One attaches to the top jaw and pushes the jaw forward with a large silicone stopper. Another attaches to both jaws and contains supports that push the jaw forward.

A new type of appliance called a Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP), contains custom-fitted attachments to both jaws. It then uses an adjustment screw that the patient may use for maximum comfort and effectiveness.

Snoring and sleep apnea should not be ignored. Studies have shown that when two people share a bed and one snores chronically, the non-snoring partner loses an average of 1.5 hours of sleep per night. Also, sleep apnea sufferers tend to have a high incidence of high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, irritability and depression. There are effective treatments available for snoring and apnea, and without treatment the problem rarely cures itself.