Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Does your spouse SNORE?  Twenty-three percent of sleep partners sleep in separate rooms due to snoring.  Snoring is the first sign of a medical condition known as “Sleep Apnea,” which can be a serious health problem for individuals.

Sleep Apnea occurs when one’s breathing is disrupted during sleep.  Left untreated, it can cause hypertension, diabetes, depression, stroke, or heart failure.  It is estimated that 17%-20% of adults over the age of forty have some form of sleep apnea. Men, individuals who are overweight, and those over age forty, have a greater risk for developing Sleep Apnea.

William C. Dement, the Father of Sleep, says “Sleep disordered breathing in its various manifestations, is arguably the number one health problem in the United States, and probably throughout the world”.

Traditional treatment of OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) has been with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine.  The CPAP machine has a mask that covers the mouth and sometimes the nose as well.  Unfortunately, the CPAP machine has a very low compliance rate due to the cumbersome nature of the machine.

Recently, Dentistry has come up with an effective alternative treatment for people with OSA.  It is a Mandibular Advancing Device (MAD); and there are about forty different types of these devices presently on the market.  The MAD works by advancing and retaining the mandible and associated tissue in a forward position.  The base of the tongue is then repositioned forward resulting in the oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal airways increasing in size.  Thus, one is able to breathe easier without the use of a CPAP machine.

The clinical effectiveness of MAD has been confirmed by Chan, Lee and Cistulli (Chest, 132, 2007) as a viable modality for the treatment of OSA across all grades of severity. The biggest advantage to MAD versus CPAP is compliance, with an over 30% higher rating.

Please consult your physician and dentist for more information regarding your options.

Dr. James Tasto is a proud member of the American Academy of Sleep Dental Medicine.

Dr. James Tasto

Born and raised in San Diego, Dr. James Tasto attended University of San Diego where he lettered in both golf and wrestling. After earning a Bachelors in Science from Loyola Marymount University, Dr. Tasto graduated from University of Southern California Dental School with an emphasis on cosmetics and sports dentistry.  Dr. James Tasto was selected by his peers to be included in the List of Top Dentists in San Diego for 2007 – 2011. He appeared in the May issue of San Diego Magazine. Dr. Tasto is also a member of D.O.C.S. (Doctors Offering Charitable Services), a local organization that offers medical services such as plastic surgery, vision and dental to the less fortunate patients in San Diego.  Dr. Tasto currently resides in San Diego with his lovely wife Traci and their 3 children. He enjoys golf, beach volleyball and playing with his kids.