Snoring, or noisy breathing, affects nearly one of every three Americans.
Snoring occurs when muscles in soft tissues in a snorer's throat and mouth relax during sleep, making the breathing airway smaller. The space becomes constricted and the speed of air flowing through it increases, causing soft tissue to vibrate. Excess body weight or use of alcohol and sedatives can further increase the severity. Respiration impairing soft tissue can be surgically removed, but procedures are expensive and painful and success rates vary. An alternate to surgery is a dentist prescribed anti-snore oral device called Silent Nite. Silent Nite comfortably positions the lower jaw into a forward position using special connectors attached to transparent upper and lower forms. The device increases the airway space and reduces air velocity, soft tissue vibration and snoring up to 85% and more. So you can enjoy the benefits of a better and more restful night's sleep. Call: Dr Verma at (719)393-1600.

How comfortable is the appliance - Silent Nite?
Silent Nite is custom-made device, which is flexible, thin and comfortable in the mouth.  Like any other appliance you will need a few nights to sleep with it before it gets very comfortable.

Other than the noisy breathing are there any other side effects to snoring?
Although snoring seems physically harmless, it can be a "red flag" for a much more serious and sometimes fatal condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea. 

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway completely collapses,blocking airflow into the lungs. The harder one tries to breathe, the tighter the airway seals. This airway obstruction persists until the brain partially awakens the person. Unconsciously, he/she will close the jaw returning the tongue and throat to a normal position.
The sleep apnea cycle - falling asleep, jaw relaxing, airway collapsing, unconsciously awakening with a gasp, falling back asleep - can repeat itself 50 or more times per hour during the night. With a blocked air passage, one does not receive enough oxygen. Both the awakenings and oxygen deprivation can then trigger other health problem.

The Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP) is based on the same principle as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR. The airway must be opened to allow air to pass through the throat. A constricted or collapsed airway causes snoring or sleep apnea. The TAP is designed to holds the lower jaw in a forward position so that it does not fall open during the night and cause the airway to collapse. The TAP maintains a clear airway to reduce snoring and improve breathing.  TAP, an oral appliance is similar to an atheletic mouth guard that is worn while sleeping.

• Comfortable and patient-friendly
• Custom-made to prevent any change in teeth position or mouth structures
• Patient-adjustable allowing maximum comfort and effectiveness.

Are there any medical problems that can occur due to Sleep apnea? Yes, sleep apnea can cause chronic sleepiness, stroke, heart attacks, heartburn, morning headaches, depression, high blood pressure and impotence.  And those are the major reasons that Dr. Verma will want to try to promptly treat sleep apnea..