Resolve snoring and sleep apnea promptly and easily

You have come to the right place for a restful night’s sleep, free of the snoring that can affect not only your ability to sleep soundly through the night but also the ability of your entire household to sleep uninterrupted. Additionally, snoring can be a side effect of a dangerous condition known as “sleep apnea.” Since snoring and sleep apnea are rooted in oral and maxillofacial conditions, dentists are often on the front lines of diagnosing and resolving these common concerns. 

Additionally, our specialists at Beverly Hills Advanced Specialties of Dentistry, Drs. Frank Vidjak and Fanny Yacaman, may work closely with our patient’s broader medical team to safely resolve sleep-disordered breathing effectively and promptly. In fact, as a prosthodontist, Dr. Vidjak is extensively trained and experienced in restoring the healthy function of all oral structures – not “just” the teeth and gums. 

Getting to the “root” of the problem

The grating sound that we know as snoring is actually a “vibration” – it is the air passing through lax tissues in the throat while you are at rest. Primary snoring, while disruptive, is not dangerous. Secondary snoring, however, can be caused by obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form of sleep apnea. OSA arises due to tissues in the throat becoming so lax that they block the airway. Patients can’t breathe and may awaken many times during the night, often with a gasp and a snort. As one might imagine, chronic sleep-disordered breathing and sleeplessness stress many organs, including the heart. It is associated with numerous scary complications, from cardiovascular disease and stroke to an increased incidence of severe workplace and auto accidents. 

Depending on what we find during an evaluation at our specialty center in Beverly Hills, we may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

• Weight loss to reduce fat in the neck area
• Smoking cessation 
• Changes to “sleep posture”
• Nasal decongestants
• Allergy medications
• Other lifestyle modifications; for instance, regular exercise and alcohol only in moderation (and not before bedtime)
• Oral appliance therapy with a customized device 

A mouthpiece or oral appliance is designed to fit comfortably and precisely in your mouth. The idea is to promote healthy and proper jaw alignment and open the airway to prevent blockages during sleep. Many patients who have tried CPAP therapy appreciate this lightweight, easy-to-wear, and easy-to-clean alternative. 

Sleep-disordered breathing deserves prompt attention. Call Beverly Hills Advanced Specialties of Dentistry at (310) 861-3955 today to schedule your evaluation.

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