Snoring o Sleep Apnea?

Snoring is caused by a slackening of the upper airways at the level of the throat. In this area the airways are kept open by muscles during sleep. During sleep, these muscles relax. Snoring eventually causes the walls of the airways (i.e. the tongue base and the soft palate) to sag and flutter back and forth. Snoring becomes more intense with alcohol consumption, weight gain, and also a blocked nose. It often increases with age.

While snoring is caused by a narrowing of the upper airway, sleep apnoea (Greek for "windlessness") is a temporary complete closure of the pharynx during sleep, which results in the patient trying to continue to breathe, but with no air flow. The pause in breathing is registered in the sleeping person´s brain and is overcome by a wake-up reaction. This is vital and prevents suffocation, but leads to chronic sleep deprivation.

Severe sleep apnoea can cause serious complications, such as high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, etc. Many sufferers do not even know that they are suffering from sleep apnoea. Sleep medical examination is required to diagnose it correctly and treat it properly.

How does the dentist proceed with snoring therapy?

First, we make a thorough dental examination of the teeth, periodontium, jaw, tongue and other soft tissues. An X-ray examination supplements the diagnosis. A functional study of the temporomandibular joints and masticatory muscles is required. After that, we advise you which intra-oral appliance (dental splint) is suitable for your particular dental situation.

Then, your dental splint is made by dental technicians, and we carefully adjust it. We support you in learning how to use and inform you about settling time, side effects, aftercare, and especially the cleansing of your splint.