Why do I get eight hours of sleep but never feel rested?

You may be one of the 17 percent of the adult population with a sleep-related breathing disorder. You may be getting an adequate number of hours of sleep, but may be deprived of the most restful stages of sleep. Either because of snoring or more serious obstructions in your airway, you may be having your sleep disturbed.

Isn't all sleep the same?

No. Normal, restful sleep can be categorized in several stages. Stages one, two, three and four are called non-REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. Each of these stages of sleep gets progressively deeper and more restful. For example, if someone is awakened from stage one sleep, they awaken quite easily. If awakened from stage four sleep, the deepest level of sleep for the brain, they will awaken completely disoriented, often not knowing where they are or what day it is.

REM sleep is the stage of sleep where dreaming takes place. While the brain is active, the body experiences partial paralysis in its very deep rest.

What is a sleep-related breathing disorder and how does it impact sleep?

This is an extremely important question! It is answered in the sleep disorders section of this site. After reading this section we recommend that you take the tests to evaluate your sleep behavior.

What is a respiratory event?

Broadly defined, a respiratory event is a disruption of breathing during sleep caused by a partial or complete upper airway collapse. When this upper airway collapse is complete and breathing stops for at least 10 seconds, it is called apnea. When breathing is not stopped but is severely restricted and accompanied by a four percent drop in blood oxygen levels, it is called a hypopnea.

Both types of events cause dual problems for the body. First, the disruption of oxygen flow causes stress. Secondly, the events cause sleep interruption and fragmentation.

Why treat a sleep-related breathing disorder?

If you suffer from daytime fatigue and sleepiness this question doesn't need to be asked! However, some people with sleep disorders notice very few disturbances in their life that would motivate them to seek treatment for a sleep-related breathing disorder. People with untreated obstructive sleep disorders have much higher incidences of serious medical symptoms and conditions.

What will happen at the first appointment?

The first appointment is very important in developing our understanding of your sleep behavior and assessing how we may be able to help you. Dr. Lawler will carefully review all of your health information that you will provide through your medical history. Bed partners may offer information about your sleep patterns that you are not aware of, so it is helpful to bring them along. Dr. Lawler will evaluate the structure of your head and neck area to assess the appropriateness of oral appliance therapy in your treatment. He will also spend time helping you more fully understand the nature of any sleep disruption, potential sleep-related breathing disorders and the available treatment options. Allow about 1 1/2 hours for the first appointment.

How soon can treatment start after the first appointment?

If you are certain that you want to proceed with treatment, the second appointment can usually follow two weeks later. This is the normal time span to receive preauthorization from your medical insurance company.

Will medical insurance pay for oral appliances to manage my sleep disorder?

The Center for Sound Sleep is one of the few dental offices in Indiana that can provide medical reimbursement service for you. The kind and quality of the policy that you and your employer have purchased will determine potential significant savings to you.

Are these sleep-related breathing disorders common?

Yes, they are very common. The most recent studies indicate that up to 25 percent of the population has some degree of sleep-related breathing obstruction during sleep. "Simple" snoring is not considered a disorder, yet is often a sign of more serious problems. Worse, simple snoring often deteriorates into more serious disorders, such as UARS and apnea. Please read more under Sleep Disorders. Unfortunately, people might eventually develop serious health conditions such as high blood pressure and stroke. Please read more health risks under Sleep Disorders.

How does dental appliance therapy work?

Dental appliances are worn at night and work by holding the lower jaw forward during sleep. This causes the tongue to come forward and allows the air passage in the throat to open up so that snoring is eliminated and normal breathing can resume.

Can these appliances manage "simple" snoring too?

Yes, these appliances can eliminate "simple" snoring as well as manage some of the most severe breathing obstructions during sleep. We have a lot of very grateful bed partners of the patients we have treated!

Are these appliances comfortable?

We work very closely with our patients ensure that appliances are comfortable and well tolerated. Some of the most recent studies show that 92 percent of patients are still using their appliance two years after treatment began. This is the highest rate of compliance for any treatment method for obstructive sleep disorders.

What are your qualifications for managing snoring and sleep apnea?

Dr. Lawler has trained under the leading authorities in the field of dental sleep medicine and has more than 150 hours of post-graduate training. He is the medical director of the Indiana Society of Sleep Professionals and works closely with local physicians, Bloomington Hospital, Internal Medicine Associates and other sleep labs.

What possible complications might I have with oral appliance therapy?

The following are complications that can happen with oral appliance therapy:

• Tooth discomfort
• Jaw or gum discomfort
• Excessive salivation
• TMD pain or dysfunction
• Loosening of the teeth
• Tooth-position change
• Jaw-position change
• Space opening between the back teeth

These complications are rare, almost always temporary and seldom cause anyone to terminate treatment.