Sleep apnea occurs when an individual stops breathing while sleeping. This can happen a few times a night (mild apnea) to several hundred episodes a night (severe apnea). In most cases an obstruction, usually the soft tissue in the back of the throat, and/or the tongue, restricts the airway. Sleep physicians generally prescribe a device known as CPAP to force air with positive pressure into the airway of an individual suffering from apnea. This device is strapped to your face and, for many people, is extremely cumbersome and uncomfortable.

Dr. Roska has been very successful in treating mild sleep apnea and snoring with an appliance (SomnoMed®) that is fitted over your teeth. With this device, Dr. Roska can reposition your lower jaw in a more forward position, which opens the airway at the back of your mouth and throat. This appliance is self-adjusting and provides a preferred alternative to the CPAP approach. Many of our sleep apnea patients are referred by physicians who have already performed a comprehensive sleep study, have tried CPAP, and find it too uncomfortable to use. Other individuals are referred by family members because of snoring issues. If you have not had a sleep study performed we can do a screening for apnea and snoring with a device known as a pulseoximeter. The results of this test will provide enough information to determine our probability of success with our appliance. You can take the pulseoximeter home with you, which makes this approach significantly more convenient than spending several nights at a sleep lab. Obviously, if the pulseoximetry test shows moderate to severe apnea, we will refer you to a sleep physician.

If you or a family member snore, or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, call our office for a consultation. We will be happy to assess your condition and determine whether appliance therapy is appropriate for you.



Addison • 15303 Dallas Parkway, Suite 120 • Addison, TX 75001 • 972-239-6591 • map