Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a chronic condition that occurs when your muscles relax during sleep. This allows for soft tissue to collapse and block your airway which results in reduced oxygen levels. The lack of airflow may last a few seconds or up to a few minutes.
These low oxygen levels cause the body to wake up throughout the night to regain airflow and may result in snorting, gasping, or choking to restore oxygen levels. A person with sleep apnea may wake up an overage of 30 times an hour with no memory of it. Chronic low oxygen levels can cause irreversible brain damage, heart attack, and stroke.
Common causes of sleep apnea include a misaligned or small jaw, tongue with scalloped edges, excess body weight, or a narrow airway.
At Prestige Family Dentistry, we are a proud provider of the Vivos System for patients seeking relief from obstructive sleep apnea. The Vivos System is an innovative, non-invasive, non-surgical treatment that not only offers symptom relief but seeks to actively correct the cause of obstruction by gradually expanding the patient’s palate. The expansion allows your airway to clear and helps you breathe comfortably throughout the night.
Your Vivos device is worn in the evening and/or throughout the night while you sleep (around 10-12 hours) and slowly expands your upper jaw. The average length of treatment consists of 18-24 months. Throughout your treatment, you will visit our office so that we can adjust your device and ensure your upper arch and airway are expanding properly allowing you to breathe better during sleep.
For more information on sleep apnea and our treatment options or to schedule a consultation, contact our office today at (503) 649-3101.