Sleep Apnea and Snoring

Is snoring an issue in you household? Snoring can not only be socially disturbing but it can lead to or be the predicessor to severe health problems. Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea. Did you know that sleep apnea is the second leading cause of automobile accidents( texting while driving is first )! It has the same effect as alcohol on mental awareness levels.

Sleep apnea can cause a host of health issues from loss of blood oxygen saturation including high blood pressure, diabetes, blood sugar instability, hardening of the arteries, incresed appetite, atrial fibrillation...just to name a few.

CPAP ( continuous positive airway pressure ):  Are you currently using this therapy?  Is it successsful? Can you sleep comfortably with  a mask or nasal pillows?  Do you use it  during more than 75% of your sleeping time?  It is estimated that 80% of CPAP users only use it 20% of the time! An oral appliance may help. At Outer Banks Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we use TAP 3 appliance therapy for snoring and sleep apnea management. TAP 3 has been FDA and Medicare approved for both of these conditions and this can now be covered by insurance under "Durable Medical Equipment".  Many patients have been able to decrease the pressure needed by CPAP or completely eliminate the need for CPAP with this device!   Call us for a consultation...you may be surprized at your risk level for sleep apnea. This is a silent disorder that can slowly kill you!