Jacksonville Dentist Offers Sleep Apnea Treatment

Online, February 22, 2011 (Newswire.com) - When the effects of sleep apnea hit home for Jacksonville dentist Dr. Michael Moore, he decided it was time look into treatment options for his patients who might also suffer from the condition.

Moore is receiving special training in methods dentists can use to treat sleep apnea in patients, he says.

"I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and am using a night guard and CPAP therapy," Moore says. "It has made a big difference in how I feel in the mornings."

Because of that, Moore plans to begin making snore guard appliances for his patients. Moore also will begin referring patients with suspected sleep apnea to his physician who prescribed c-pap therapy to him.

People with sleep apnea typically do not feel rested after sleep because they stop breathing repeatedly while they sleep, and this can happen hundreds of times a night. Episodes in which a person stops breathing can last a minute or longer, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association. It is estimated that as many as 12 million Americans are sleep apnea sufferers.

Moore plans to begin offering oral appliances designed to guard against sleep apnea at his Jacksonville dentistry practice.

Oral appliances, also commonly referred to as "snore guards," help combat the effects of sleep apnea by keeping the patient's airway open. They accomplish this either by pushing the lower jaw forward, by keeping the tongue from falling back over the airway, or with a combination of both mechanisms.

"Snore guards tend to be more helpful for people with mild sleep apnea, but they have shown to be effective in some moderate and severe sleep apnea sufferers, as well," Moore says.

Snore guards can be more effective when used in conjunction with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure- CPAP- therapy.

CPAP therapy works by blowing pressurized room air through a person's airway to keep their throat open. The pressurized air serves as "splint," according to information posted on the ASAA site. The pressure setting varies from patient to patient.
The ASAA says CPAP is the most effective method for treating obstructive sleep apnea.

"It has been quite interesting to learn about sleep apnea treatment methods, and I look forward to providing some relief to my patients who suffer from the condition," Moore says.

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about sleep apnea and treatment or you wish to schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Moore at his Jacksonville dental office, please call (904) 296-3383 or visit his website: www.southpointdental.com.

Dr. Moore's office is located at 4189 SouthPoint Dr. E. in Jacksonville, 32216.