Snoring therapy:

For some people, snoring at night can take over your whole day. It can have an affect on your sleep patterns and your partner's, causing tremendous fatigue and other issues. You may not know that your dentist can help remedy your snoring. If you looking for a Houston, Texas snoring specialist, we can help you, Midtown Dentistry, located in Houston, TX, can create a snoring therapy device designed to help you sleep soundly through the night. Midtown Dentistry dentists are experts on the causes of snoring and can create a comfortable, removable device that will inhibit your snoring. Let our Houston snoring therapy dentists help you get a peaceful night's rest.

Snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness are indications of obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that limits respiratory airflow and intermittently disrupts breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea may put your heart at risk if left untreated and is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, strokes and signs of cardiovascular disease. Treating obstructive sleep apnea can decrease the risks for cardiovascular disease and improve heart performance.
What causes Snoring?
Snoring occurs when the structures in the throat are large and when muscles relax enough to cause the airway to narrow and partially obstruct the air flow. As the air passes through these obstructions, these structures vibrate producing the snoring sound. Large tonsils, a long soft palate and uvula and excess fat deposits contribute to airway narrowing.
Symptoms and Effects of Sleep Apnea:
Symptoms include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:

  • Loud snoring
  •   Interrupted breathing while asleep
  •  Falling asleep when inactive and at inappropriate times
  • Rhythmic limb or body movements when asleep
  • Restlessness while sleeping
  •    Difficulty falling asleep
  •   Continual awakening during the night
  •    Sleep terrors or nightmares
  •   Irregular heartbeat during sleep
  •    Excessive perspiration during sleep
  •   Teeth grinding during sleep
  •   Awakening with a choking feeling or gasping for air
  •    Headache or confusion upon awakening
  •     Chronic fatigue or non-restful sleep
  •    High blood pressure and other cardiac problems
  •    Anxiety or irritability
  •     Depression, reduced sense of well-being
  •     Forgetfulness
  •    Difficulty learning or concentrating
  •    Lack of energy and motivation


Sleep is essential for our physical and mental well-being. It is a restorative process that enables a person to be healthy and productive. Adults should have between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night, yet millions suffer from sleep disorders that deprive them of this necessary rest. These disorders diminish quality of life and pose significant medical problems such as strain on the heart and lungs that can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke.
What causes Sleep Apnea?
Narrowing airway passages can cause Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Muscles relax during sleep. When the muscles used to breathe relax too much, the tongue is sucked against the back of the throat causing airflow to stop. The oxygen level in the brain becomes low enough to awaken the sleeper partially. The obstruction in the throat clears and the flow of air starts again (usually with a loud gasp). This is called apnea. The most common cause of airway constriction during sleep apnea is the tongue. The tongue relaxes excessively during sleep and falls back into the airway with each breath. Air travels faster through a slender tube, this rapidly moving air causes the soft tissue in the throat to vibrate, which produces the loud sound of snoring and compromises the ability to breath. Some patients experience up to 300 apnea episodes each night. Severe cases may have up to 700 per night.
Treatment:
Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is provided to open airway passages and improve airflow to the lungs. In mild cases, weight loss may all that is needed. Weight loss can help to reduce excess tissue that obstructs the airway passages in the neck of an overweight person. People with neck sizes of 17 inches or larger are at risk for obstructive sleep apnea.
The Sleep Apnea/Snoring Appliance:
There are several advantages that oral appliances offer over other forms of therapy. The appliances are easy to care for and are comfortable to wear. Treatment is non-invasive and reversible.
At our Midtown Dentistry office in Houston, Texas, we work in collaboration with Great Lakes Orthodontics Laboratory to provide patients with the Klearway® Appliance* The Klearway is a patented appliance used in the management of obstructive sleep apnea and/or snoring. The Sleep Apnea/Snoring Appliance is made up of two small custom-made plastic devices that resemble athletic mouthguards or orthodontic retainers. They fit comfortably over teeth and are worn while sleeping. The device works by moving the lower jaw and tongue forward. Studies prove the appliance, when worn regularly, has proven and substantial results for the treatment of OSA and/or snoring. Patients have expressed their satisfaction in using this appliance.

Most medical insurance policies will cover the cost of this appliance when the patient is diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea by a certified sleep disorder center. Dr. Penchas has treated many patients using custom appliances and night guards. They work closely with physicians and sleep centers to determine a diagnosis and develop the best treatment protocol for each patient. Prior to seeking treatment for obstructive sleep apnea with us, patients should have a sleep study performed at a sleep center.