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Sleep Apnea & Snoring

Click HERE to listen to Dr. Darin’s discussion on Sedation Dentistry (Part #1)

Click HERE to listen to Dr. Darin’s discussion on Sedation Dentistry (Part #2)

Click HERE to listen to Dr. Darin’s “Ask the Expert” Session with KXLG regarding Sleep Apnea! (Aug. 9, 2011)

Click the dates below to listen to Dr. Darin Bach discuss Sleep Apnea on our local radio station, KXLG!

 (Oct. 11, 2011
Do you or a loved one snore? If so, you're not alone - up to 40% of adults snore! Simply put, snoring is an undesirable sound created by a partially obstructed airway. The snoring may be harmless, or it could be a sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea - a serious medical condition.

Signs of this condition are:

• Snoring
• Morning headaches
• Fatigue and irritability, even after a full night's sleep
• Weight gain
• Excessive night sweating
• Mood swings
• Daytime sleepiness
• Gasping or stopping breathing during sleep
• Difficulty concentrating
• Poor memory

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a condition in which the soft tissues at the back of the throat completely close off the airway so that air can not flow into the lungs. This airway blockage can reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the brain and the body. The brain then alerts the muscles to tighten up in an effort to reopen the airway. As a result, a loud gasp or snort may be heard, and then breath, and possibly snoring, are resumed. This process causes a significant disruption of sleep patterns and can be very harmful and possibly life threatening.

Sleep apnea is a health problem that can be associated with high blood pressure, heart problems and stroke. People who suffer from sleep apnea frequently complain of daytime sleepiness, which can cause difficulty staying awake during meetings or conversations, or while reading, watching television or driving. Daytime sleepiness can also impair the ability to concentrate at work and at home.

As a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Darin Bach is trained to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) with oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances that treat snoring and OSA are similar in nature to a sports mouth guard or a retainer from your orthodontist. These devices are custom-fit and work by helping to prevent the tongue and other soft tissues in the back of the throat from collapsing, thus keeping your airway more open during sleep. Oral appliances also work by increasing the muscle tone of the tongue. The FDA has approved approximately 40 appliances to treat snoring and/or sleep apnea.

How We Diagnose and Treat Sleep Apnea

Acoustic Pharyngometer	Studies have shown a clear relationship between the existence of OSA and a narrow, collapsible, airway. The Eccovision® Acoustic Pharyngometer graphically displays the relationship between the cross-sectional area of the airway and distance down the airway in centimeters. The Pharyngometer accomplishes these measurements using acoustic reflection technology, similar to a ship's sonar. Sound waves are projected down the airway and reflected back out in such a way that the Pharyngometer software can analyze and quantify changes in the airway's cross-sectional area. The test is minimally invasive and takes 2-5 minutes to complete.
Acoustic Rhinometer Click here to view a video demostration of how Eccovison® works.	The Eccovision® Acoustic Rhinometer allows for quick and easy measurements of nasal patency. The device gathers information using acoustic reflection. Sound waves are sent up the nasal passageway, and they are reflected back out in such a way that the Eccovision® Acoustic Rhinometer can accurately map out the topography of the nasal airway. This allows us to clearly identify the location and severity of any obstruction in the airway. The test is completely non-invasive and takes 30 seconds to complete.

These are just a few of the FDA approved appliances that we offer to treat sleep apnea: