Snoring and Sleep Apnea

At Kootenay Family Dental, we offer the treatments for sleep apnea and snoring. Our staff is committed to helping our patients get back to their restful sleep.

Procedure time varies.

Snoring can be a nuisance for your spouse, but could be a sign of something considerably more threatening to your own health.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common disorder characterized by pauses in breathing while sleeping, pauses that often end with a loud snort or choking sound when breathing resumes. This uncomfortable experience causes the brain to move from deep sleep to light sleep, and reduces the quality of rest. Sleep apnea can cause chronic fatigue (noticed as excessive tiredness during the day,) as well as increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, and more.

How do we treat sleep apnea?

The most common type of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, is caused by a collapsed airway or blockage during the night. Often the tongue is the culprit, and can be effectively treated by a custom-fit oral appliance that holds the tongue forward, or moves the lower jaw forward. Oral appliances from our Castlegar practice are comfortable, non-invasive, and only need to be worn at night. The effectiveness of these appliances is directly related to the level of patient co-operation.

If you or your partner has noticed symptoms of sleep apnea, talk to us about how Kootenay Family Dental can be a helping hand in getting you back to comfortable sleep.