Approximately one-third of the population snores

It is estimated that more than 90 million North Americans snore while sleeping.1 Spouses and children of habitual snorer are repeatedly disturbed during their sleep, which can lead to tensions and animosity.

Snoring can kill you, according to a UCLA School of Dentistry study: The struggle for breath can result in soaring blood pressure, which can damage the walls of the carotid arteries and increase the risk of stroke.2 Fortunately, using the Silent Nite sl device, dentists can now provide most patients with cost-effective relief for Sleep Disordered Breathing conditions.

What causes Sleep Disordered Breathing?

During sleep, the muscles and soft tissues in the throat and mouth relax, causing a narrowing of the airway. This decrease in airway space increases the velocity of air flowing through the airway during breathing and causes vibrations. These vibrations result in “noisy breathing” or snoring.3 It should also be noted that sleep studies have shown excess body weight, heavy alcohol consumption and other sedatives increase the severity of snoring.4.-5

Surgical techniques to remove respiration-impairing structures, such as the uvula, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, have been among the many attempted snoring remedies. These soft tissue surgical procedures have shown only moderate success rates (e.g., 20 to 40 percent).5
At certain levels of severity, complete blockage of the airway space by the soft tissues and the tongue can occur. If the period of asphyxiation lastis longer than 10 seconds, this is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).6 OSA can be a serious medical condition and your dentist may refer you to a sleep specialist. For the majority of snorers, however, the most affordable, non-invasive, comfortable and effective snoring solution remains a dentist-prescribed snore prevention device, such as Silent Nite sl.

How does the Silent Nite® sl prevent Sleep Disordered Breathing?

Snoring and sleep apnea research has shown that custom-fabricated dental devices, which move the lower jaw into a forward position, increase the three-dimensional space in the airway tube, reducing air velocity and soft tissue vibration.7 By increasing the volumetric capacity of the airway and preventing soft tissue vibrations, snoring and sleep apnea are eliminated. In clinical research studies, oral devices have exhibited success rates of between 80 to 100 percent.7-9

The Silent Nite device positions the lower jaw into a forward position by means of special Slide-Link connectors that are attached to transparent flexible upper and lower forms. The forms are custom laminated with heat and pressure to the dentist’s model of the mouth, for a comfortable fit.

References:

1. Yuong T. Palta M. The occurrence of sleep disordered breathing among middle-aged adults. N Engl J Med, 1993;328117):’23C-5.
2. Friedlander AH, Yueh R. Littner MR. The prevalence of calcified carotid artery atheromas in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1998:56:950.
3. Isono S. Remmers JE. Anatomy and physiology of upper airway obstruction. In: Kryger M, Roth T, Dement W. eds. Principals and Practice of Sleep Medicine. 2nd ed. WB Saunders and Co. 1994;642-56.
4. Browman CP, Sampson MG, et al. Obstructive sleep apnea and body weight. Chest. 1984;85:435-6.
5. Koop Hans-peter DDS, Ph.D. Snore Device Specifications, Erkodent GmbH Siemen-strasse 3, 72285 Pflzgrafenweiler, Germary: Telefax (49)-74-45-2092.
6. American Sleep Disorders Association. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders. Rochester, MN, 1990.
7. Schmidt Nowara W, Lowe A,et al. Oral Appliances for treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea; a review. Sleep.1995;18(6):501-10.
8. Lowe A Dental appliances for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. in: Kyger M, Roth T, Dement W, eds. Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine. 2nd ed. WB Saunders Co. 1994;722-35.
9. Clark GT D et al. The effect of anterior mandibular positioning on obstructive sleep apnea. Amer Rev Resp Dis. 1993;147:624-9.
10. http://www.glidewelldental.com/snoring-sleep-apnea/product-silent-nite.aspx