Sleep apnea is a condition whereby a person’s breathing is closed off for a period of time during sleep, sometimes occurring as many as 100 times in a night.
Sleep apnea can increase chances for heart disease, high blood pressure, sexual dysfunction, depression, learning or memory loss and tiredness. Many times, the person suffering from sleep apnea may not be aware of the condition. Often, the spouse initially notices the problem.
An 18-month study involves sleep apnea patients at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. An oral appliance, called the Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP), is used to treat those suffering from moderate to severe sleep apnea.
According to Dr. Paul McLornan, at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, many patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea were not adhering to standard treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. Many factors, including the noise, cumbersome attachments, bloody noses and the lack of flexibility of different sleeping positions prevent many people from using their CPAP machine.
Dr. McLornan’s study proves the TAP device, which is smaller and fits in a patient’s mouth, is now an option for patients with mild, moderate and now even severe sleep apnea. He states it was previously thought treatment for patients suffering from severe sleep apnea was limited to the use of the CPAP or surgery. This study adds to the body of medical and dental research literature by showing oral appliances can be effective in treating people with severe sleep apnea.
The device is less cumbersome and better tolerated by patients. It is also much less invasive and costly than the CPAP or surgery. Patients in the study were fitted with the TAP appliance, and given a tiny key, which fits in the front of the device.
The patient was instructed to wear the appliance every night, inserting and turning the key several millimeters before bedtime. By turning the key, the patient pulls the lower jaw forward, creating an open airway in the throat. Patients then informed researchers when they reached a comfortable point in the adjustments, and when they felt they were able to sleep without snoring or gasping.
The patients are then evaluated using standard sleep studies to determine whether or not their sleep had, indeed, improved. It was found patients improved significantly using the TAP. (Source: Mission, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Spring 2009)
Dr. Farnsworth, of Las Sendas Dental Health, has been successfully using the TAP device to treat patients with sleep apnea since 2001. If you or your significant other suffers from snoring or gasping while sleeping, the cause may be sleep apnea.
Please call for an evaluation. Let us help you find a way to improve your health, and get a full night of restful sleep again. For an appointment to evaluate your options, please call (480) 283-5854.