Josh Bernstein, DDS, Cosmetic Dentist

Snoring is common but not normal. Snoring is often associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a condition where the patient stops breathing many times during a typical night of sleep. Many sleep apnea patients do not snore and are known as "silent" apnea patients. Here in our Piedmont office, we see a lot of patients with severely worn teeth from night time grinding. Sleep apnea patients are more likely to grind their teeth. Sleep Apnea is dangerous for the obvious reason that you must breathe to live. What is less well known is that people who have untreated sleep apnea have a 20% shorter life span on average than those who breathe normally during sleep. OSA patients typically have a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease and hypertension (high blood pressure). Until recently, the only effective treatment for sleep apnea was to wear a CPAP machine that is essentially night time life support. A CPAP forces air into the lungs through a mask worn on the nose or mouth. In the recent past, dental technology came up with so-called "snore guards," dental appliances that positioned the jaw to decrease or eliminate snoring. With research, innovative clinicians improved these "snore guards" to open the airway for sleep apnea patients. One of the best sleep apnea appliances is the Somnodent, made by Somnomed. If you (or you partner) are suffering from snoring or sleep apnea, or if you cannot tolerate your CPAP machine, there is help for you. Ask about a custom made Somnodent appliance here at our Piedmont office.

Josh Bernstein, DDS