Sleep apnea occurs when your airway is blocked and breathing stops while asleep for a certain period of time. When an apneic event occurs we sub-consciously awake and gasp for air interrupting our quality of sleep. Often causing waking up tired after 7 plus hours of perceived sleep.
Snoring occurs when there is partial airway blockage and oxygen exchange is compromised leading to the intolerable noise. The symptoms of snoring can be a precursor to life threating apneic events.
Oral appliances can be fabricated to maintain adequate airway space while sleeping by advancing the lower jaw ( mandible ) forward. Thus keeping the tongue from falling backwards occluding the airway and maintaining optimal airway flow. These appliances are custom fabricated and specifically designed to treat both snoring and sleep apnea.