Archive for the ‘Sleeping Disorders’ Category

Sleep apnea is a diagnosis that have a direct affect on one’s total health. Between 50-70 million Americans have some form of chronic sleep disorders, including snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) but only 15% know about it. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness alone costs $150 billion annually in lost productivity and mishaps from a lack of nightly sleep. Another $48 billion in medical costs related to motor vehicle accidents that involve drowsy drivers. Almost 20% of all serious car crash injuries are associated with driver Excessive Daytime Sleepiness.

Things to look out for in regards to sleep apnea are:

Obesity, neck larger than 17″ for males and 15″ for females, small lower jaw in relation to the upper jaw, and the older you are the higher the risk. The tissues in the pharynx area of the throat get loose and excessive so it leads to airway closure during sleep.

This problem with the stoppage of breathing occurs when the throat area closes down when excessive tissues encroaches upon the airway space. If the breathing is stopped for more than 10 seconds period of time it is called an episode. Sleep apnea is quantified:

• Mild-5-15 episodes per hour
• Moderate:16-30
• Severe: greater than 30 per hour.

The more episodes one has correlates to more severe problems. You can often hear one who is snoring heavily and then will gasp and find it is silent. They will then make a big gasp to try to catch their breath.

Every time they gasp this wakes them up from a deeper level of sleep. Without the deep levels of sleep the body can’t get refreshed therefore sleep deprivation takes place. It is as if someone wakes you up every other minute!

The body has to arouse itself by using epinephrine which then speeds up the heart, places pressure on the lungs and completely stresses the body. These stresses affect the systemic organs of the body leading to diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

The gold standard is to use a cPAP positive pressure mask which blows air down the trachea to force air into the lungs. Many people are not compliant with this device and desire something more comfortable. This is where we come in. It is possible to us an oral appliance called an orthotic to move the lower jaw forward. This opens up the airway to allow more passive non restricted air flow into the lungs. Many people can’t get used to a mask on their face and choose to be more comfortable with this type of device.

If you do wear a cPaP and aren’t happy with it give us a call to discuss the options. Our phone number is (586)247-3500.

Dr. Antolak Performs dentistry in a very comfortable atmosphere where you are treated like family. The Gentle Dentist is located in Shelby Township, Michigan and provides dental services to patients in Macomb County and Oakland County, Michigan

At www.Thegentledentist.com, Dr Robert Antolak treats snoring and obstructive sleep apnea using oral appliances. These devices brings the lower jaw forward to open the airway to prevent the collapse of the airway to keep breathing easier. If you suffer from
1. snoring, gasping or jerking during sleep
2. Headaches or sore throat
3. Suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness or difficulty concentrating
4. Have cardiovascular problems including high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks or heart failure you may have apnea.
If you are using a Cpap machine but find it cumbersome and don’t use it then oral appliance therapy can be for you. Call Dr. Antolak in shelby township Michigan, macomb county at 586.247.3500. He specializes in cosmetic, implants, and general dentistry in a relaxed and gentle atmosphere.

Having  just returned from a Seminar relating the way a person bites and level of comfort they will have in their head and shoulders.  Stress Headaches are very common and many times this relates to the level of stress the person has, the occlusion (bite), and the level in which a person handles their stress.  Headaches are very complex in both their origin and the way they effect the individual.   The use of spraying muscles and using pressure points can reduce headaches if they are muscular in nature.  Jaw pain can also be referred in nature. For example, pain in the side of the face can be generated  from a problem or knot in the muscle in the shoulder area.   If you suffer from headaches or your teeth don’t fit together like they used to give us a call at (586)247-3500 or visit us at www.thegentledentist.com.  Our gentle dental office is located in Shelby township, macomb Michigan. 

The use of medications to relax the muscles are helpful for a short period of time up to 6 weeks. This, in addition to a bite guard to protect the teeth are very effective to resolve muscle pain.  For those patients who wake themselves up at night may benefit from medications that used in high doses are anti depressants.  Elavil is an example of a short term medication that is used to help patients get to a deeper level of sleep in a low dosage.  This is also used in low dosages for up to 6 weeks to help break the cycle of pain from TMD (Tempro-mandibular dysfunction).