SYMPTOMS: A Poor Night's Sleep

Over 75 million people suffer from sleep disorders and/or snoring. A lack of sleep affects your behavior, energy, and emotions, which will lead to a slow deterioration of your health. 90% of people who snore experience apneic disorders.

What can I do about Snoring?

If you feel snoring is a problem, discuss it with your dentist or doctor. You may be a suitable candidate for The Moses appliance (oral airway dilator), which is one of the most efficient and effective methods for treating primary snoring.

How does The Moses work?

The Moses is made and fitted by your doctor, and it works by moving your jaw and tongue forward, thereby creating more space for you to properly breathe during the night. This reduces or eliminates snoring. However, you must be aware that snoring can indicate a more serious problem called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

How does Snoring indicate Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Snoring is often an indicator of something more serious called OSA. Snoring and OSA are similar respiratory sleep disorders.

• Snoring occurs when the air you breathe vibrates the tissues of the airway due to a blocked or narrowed air passage (nose, mouth or throat).
• OSA occurs when your breathing regularly stops or is slowed for 10 seconds or longer due to blocked or narrowed air passage (nose, mouth or throat).

Airway blockage may be caused by excess tissue in the throat or nasal passage, large tonsils, a large tongue and sometimes the structure of the jaw itself.

Why is Obstructive Sleep Apnea a serious problem?

Your body is being robbed of the rest it needs to function during the day when you are constantly awoken throughout the night.

• OSA symptoms include:
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Feeling exhausted after a normal night of sleep
• Headaches
• Depression
• Symptoms that your bed partner is likely aware of:
• Frequent episodes of obstructed breathing during sleep
• Snoring, gasps, choking or gurgling sound
• Bruxism (tooth grinding)
• Long term symptoms:
• Increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease
• Sexual dysfunction
• Compromised immune system
• Irritability
• Learning and memory problems
• Poor mental and emotional health

OSA is classified as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the number of stops (apnea) or slow breathing (hypopnea) per hour.

Treatment Options:

In addition to lifestyle changes such as good sleep hygiene, exercise and weight loss, there are three primary ways to treat snoring and OSA:

• CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
• Surgery
• Oral Appliance Therapy

The Moses Oral Appliance Therapy is indicated for:

• Patients with primary snoring or mild OSA who do not respond to behavioral measures such as weight loss or sleep position change.
• Patients with moderate to severe OSA who are intolerant of or refuse treatment with nasal CPAP.
• Oral appliances are also indicated for patients who refuse treatment or are not candidates for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, craniofacial operations or tracheotomy.

Advantage of Oral Dental Appliances:

High compliance: 88% of patients feel comfortable enough to use it nightly
High effectiveness: 91% of patients report improvement
High acceptance: 96% of patients report that they will continue to use their specialized appliance.