Richard B. Evans, D.D.S.

For personal answers to questions on snoring, sleep apnea, home & sleep center sleep studies, CPAP problems or oral appliances therapy please email us your questions.

Dental Sleep Medicine

Dental Sleep Medicine focuses on the management of sleep-related breathing disorders (SBD), which includes the continuum of snoring to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with oral appliance therapy (OAT) and upper airway surgery. OSA is a potentially life-threatening medical disorder that is more prevalent in males, and progressively worsens with advancing age and weight gain.

It is caused by repetitive collapse and blockage of the upper airway while asleep that results in reduced oxygen delivery to body organs, most critically the heart and brain. Snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) are the two most common symptoms of OSA. It may also cause memory loss, morning headaches, irritability, depression, decreased sex drive, and impaired concentration. Left untreated, OSA can result in hypertension, strokes, heart attacks, and sudden death while asleep, as well as motor vehicle accidents due to drowsiness while driving.