Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects millions of Americans and is often under diagnosed. One of the warning signs of sleep apnea is heavy snoring due to the temporary obstruction of your airway. For many years, the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine was the most widely used treatment for mild to severe OSA, but the SomnoMed MAS™ device has proven effective to treat OSA and offers a more comfortable solution.
If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea or believe you may have symptoms of OSA, please contact our dentist in Houston today at 713-668-2289 to schedule your exam. Dr. Konig and his team serve patients throughout Texas including Houston, Katy, Sugar Land and The Woodlands.
What Is the SomnoMed MAS™?
The SomnoMed MAS™ sleep apnea treatment is a customized device, which involves upper and lower dental plates with a fin-coupling component. This unique design allows your mouth to open and close normally. The adjustable device also improves comfort and promotes better efficacy because it only moves your jaw as far as needed to alleviate sleep apnea symptoms. The SomnoMed MAS™ design has many key characteristics that greatly improve on existing MAS oral appliances.
Treatment for OSA often begins at a dentistry office. Our dentist, Dr. Konig, specializes in sleep apnea treatment and can answer all of your SomnoMed MAS™ questions during your initial exam.
How Does SomnoMed MAS™ Work?
The SomnoMed MAS™ is a Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS). The patented device is a proven effective treatment for mild to moderate OSA and severe snoring. SomnoMed MAS™ works by slightly advancing the lower portion of your jaw. This shift forward pulls the muscles and soft tissue of your upper airway, which inhibits the obstruction of your airway while you’re sleeping.
The tightening caused by the device also stops the tissues of your upper airway from oscillating as air is passed over them — these vibrations are a common cause behind loud snoring. In some cases, the SomnoMed MAS™ has even helped with TMJ treatment.
Some of the advantages SomnoMed MAS™ offers include:
- Durable design
- Bilateral adjustment
- Effective for mild to moderate OSA
- Comfortable fit
The SomnoMed MAS™ is an extremely effective treatment (for a majority of OSA patients) for the problem of loud snoring and mild to moderate OSA. A large body of clinical research backs its remarkable levels of patient acceptance and compliance as well as being a highly efficient OSA treatment.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing for ten seconds or more several times a night. The severity of your OSA depends on the number of times your breathing is suspended per hour. Mild OSA causes men and women to stop breathing 5 to 14 times per hour, while severe sleep apnea can involve more than 30 episodes an hour.
OSA can make you more susceptible to severe health conditions regarding your heart, brain and vascular system. The SomnoMed MAS™ can help you get a good night of deep sleep and reduce your risk of developing potentially life-threatening conditions.
If you or a loved one has sleep apnea, call Dr. Konig in Texas today at 713-668-2289 to discuss your sleep apnea treatment options. Our experienced dentist serves clients in Houston, Katy, Sugar Land and The Woodlands, Texas.
