Dental Information Center

Problem: Snoring Can Kill

Sleep Apnea is a life threatening condition that is often treated with CPAP.  The problem is that less than half the people prescribed CPAP use it regularly.

Other CPAP problems include face breakouts from the straps, eye and nasal irritation, mouth dryness, runny nose and sore throat.  Patients with allergies, patients who tend to breathe through their mouths, and patients who sleep on their stomachs may find CPAP difficult as well.

Sleep Apnea affects more than 20 million Americans.  It is the cessation of breathing during sleep for at least 10 seconds at least 5 times an hour.

Sleep Apnea can lead to hypertension, heart attack, stroke, depression, muscle pain, fibromyalgia, morning headaches, and excessive daytime sleepiness.

If you’re snoring, it’s a serious problem, maybe even life threatening.

• Have you had a car accident or a near miss because of drowsiness?
• Are you sleeping with a subwoofer?
• Are you tired during the day?
• Suffer from nasty headaches?

Solution: You deserve a great night's sleep!

We are pleased to offer comfortable alternatives to CPAP that eliminate the compressor, the hose and the mask!

Depending on each patient’s diagnosis, treatment for sleep apnea may be as simple as a lifestyle change, such as weight loss or change in diet.  Other patients may benefit from the help of a specially designed oral appliance, which prevents airway blockage, and more severe cases of apnea may require surgery to prevent upper airway obstruction.

Dr. Firlik uses a variety of oral appliances that are custom-fitted to help each patient sleep soundly and minimize the effects of Sleep Apnea, such as snoring.  These FDA-approved devices essentially treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea by preventing airway obstruction and allowing the patient to breathe easily and continuously.

Dental appliances, such as those shown in the photos below, fit over the upper and lower teeth much like an athletic mouth guard or retainer.

These custom made appliances, worn while sleeping, hold the lower jaw forward and open, preventing the tongue and other tissues from collapsing the critical airway.  There is a 96% success rate for people wearing these appliances.