Snoring – that noisy, disrupting, and often embarrassing sound many people make when they sleep.
Turns out, about forty-five percent of normal adults snore at least on occasion, while 25 percent are regular snorers!
Now, snoring may be more than a mere bedtime nuisance, research shows.
Snoring can have personal and social consequences, as it often causes embarrassment in social settings, such as traveling, and more significantly – it disrupts the sleep of loved ones, many of whom will choose to sleep separately from their snoring partner, which can lead to relationship difficulties.
Snoring is, unfortunately, also a medical issue. Not only does it reduce deep, restorative sleep, but also it often leads to more complex health issues.
When we are sleep deprived it has a negative impact on our well-being and quality of life we lead. Snorers often feel worn-out and sleepy; have morning headaches and dry mouth, reduced blood oxygen levels, higher blood pressure, and other associated health problems.
Recent research has shown that loud, severe snoring can cause serious, long-term health complications, including obstructive sleep apnea. A latest study suggests that snoring causes thickening and abnormalities in the carotid artery – potentially leading to atherosclerosis.
But, what is snoring, after all? Those noisy sounds are the vibration of tissue in the back of the mouth and the throat that stretches and droops during sleep, causing the size of the airway to be reduced and thus obstructing breathing.
Heavier and regular snoring is more frequent in males and those who are overweight, and it typically worsens with age. In general, snoring is often worse when a person sleeps on his or her back.
And now the questions many of us have been asking: are there solutions for the bothersome and potentially dangerous snoring?
Thankfully, yes – there are ways to turn a night of snoring and interrupted sleep into a relaxing, tranquil night of deep sleep.
One solution is The Pillar Procedure – a simple, effective treatment for sleep apnea and chronic snoring.
At Smiles By Stevens cutting edge dental office, we perform The Pillar Procedure in a single, short visit. It involves placing three small, woven implants, designed to be invisible and not to interfere with speaking or swallowing, into the soft palate. The implants stiffen over time, providing support to the soft palate and keeping it from drooping during sleep, which reduces the tissue vibration that typically cause snoring.
Clinical studies have shown that patients seemed to experience a significant decrease in snoring intensity, and most patients noticed a substantial improvement in their sleep in four to six weeks.
Overall, patients who choose The Pillar Procedure will experience less daytime sleepiness and significant improvements in lifestyle, and, as research showed, their bed partners seem to affirm their satisfaction with the reduction in snoring to be 80% or even higher.
The Pillar Procedure is less invasive and less painful than other surgical procedures, and FDA-cleared and clinically proven, with results comparable to more aggressive surgical procedures.
Dr. Shea F. Stevens received training at The Snoring Center for Palatal Pillar Treatment and is certified by Sleep Group Solutions for management of snoring and sleep apnea.
Another great anti-snoring solution is Oral Appliance/Silent Device – a custom-fabricated silent dental device that is the most affordable, non-invasive, comfortable and effective snoring solution for many snorers.
Dentist-prescribed, oral snoring preventative device, Silent Nite® sl works by moving the lower jaw into a forward position, increasing space in the airway tube and reducing air velocity and soft tissue vibration. Special connectors are attached to upper and lower forms, which are transparent, flexible, and custom laminated with heat and pressure. The fit is excellent and comfortable, permitting small movements of the jaw (TMJ) and allowing uninhibited oral breathing.
At Smiles By Stevens, your most trusted among dentists in Lancaster PA, we are committed to providing superior service and solutions and the highest quality of dental care.
Dr. Shea F. Stevens is here to advise you of the best solution that could help you or your loved one attain deeper, more healthful and restful sleep.
We all know how important getting proper sleep is to our health and wellbeing, so learn more about the anti-snoring solutions today – contact Smiles By Stevens, so your trustworthy dentist in Lancaster PA can help you determine which one is the right option for you.
