Snoring and sleep apnea are common sleep disorders that can impact your health and the quality of your life. Fortunately, at Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego, our holistic dentist Dr. Larry Bowden offers effective solutions for both conditions, including the Thornton Adjustable Positioner® (TAP) and Nightlase laser treatment.

We believe in whole-body wellness and recognize that sleep health is foundational to total health. As a holistic dentist, Dr. Bowden addresses sleep disorders like snoring and apnea because of their profound connection to systemic health issues, including heart disease and high blood pressure.

While snoring and sleep apnea share similar origins, their impact on your long-term health is vastly different. While snoring is often seen as a nightly nuisance, sleep apnea is a serious medical disorder that can lead to severe health complications if left untreated. Understanding the distinction is the first step toward reclaiming your health and your rest.

Snoring: More Than Just a Sound

Snoring occurs when the airway narrows, causing the soft tissues in the throat to vibrate. While it affects roughly 57% of men and 40% of women, frequent or exceptionally loud snoring is often the first red flag for deeper issues.

The Roots of Snoring

Various factors contribute to the narrowing of your airway, including age, nasal congestion, and sleep position. Lifestyle choices—such as smoking, alcohol consumption, or managing obesity—also play a significant role in the frequency and intensity of the sound.

The Impact on Daily Life

Beyond the disruptive noise, chronic snoring can manifest as morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, and a noticeable lack of concentration. If ignored, the consequences can strain your life beyond the bedroom, leading to persistent fatigue, irritability, and even an increased risk of heart disease or stroke.

Sleep Apnea: A Silent Health Threat

Sleep apnea is a dangerous disorder characterized by recurring pauses in breathing throughout the night. It is a global concern affecting nearly one billion people, and it generally manifests in three forms: Obstructive (airway collapse), Central (brain signaling issues), or Complex (a combination of both).

Signs You Should Not Ignore

Because sleep apnea signals the brain to wake you up so you can breathe, it prevents you from reaching deep, restorative sleep. Common symptoms like gasping or choking during the night, insomnia, and loud snoring are more than just sleep disturbances—they are cries for help from your body.

Systemic Health Consequences

The danger of untreated sleep apnea extends to your entire system. It has been linked to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, liver problems, and even oral cancer. By treating the root cause, you aren't just sleeping better; you are protecting your heart and your longevity. Sleep apnea is a silent health threat that affects many in our West Linn and Portland communities. By addressing the root cause—the airway—Dr. Bowden helps protect your heart health and long-term wellness.

If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, contact our Lake Oswego office at (503) 675-7300 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bowden. We can offer solutions for both snoring and sleep apnea, including the Thornton Adjustable Positioner® (TAP) and Fotona Nightlase Therapy. These treatments can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall sleep quality, leading to a better quality of life. 

The TAP (Thornton Adjustable Positioner) is an oral appliance customized to fit comfortably in your mouth while you sleep. It works by keeping your mouth and jaw open in the proper position. This allows your airway to remain open, ensuring normal breathing during sleep.

Using the TAP oral appliance as a snoring or sleep apnea treatment allows patients to experience a range of benefits. These benefits include:

• Comfortable: The TAP appliance is customized to fit comfortably in your mouth while you sleep, eliminating the discomfort associated with other treatment methods.
• Easy to Use: TAP is simple to use and doesn’t require any special training or complicated setup.
• Non-invasive: Unlike surgical options, the TAP is non-invasive and doesn’t require any incisions or anesthesia.
• Adjustable: The TAP is adjustable, allowing for added comfort and optimal treatment results.
• Portable: It’s small enough to take with you while traveling, so you can maintain your treatment regimen while on the go.
• Durable: The TAP is designed to last, ensuring that you can enjoy the benefits of treatment for years to come.
• No Masks or Straps: Unlike other treatment options, the TAP doesn’t require the use of masks or straps, making it a more comfortable and convenient choice.

Fotona Nightlase® Laser Therapy for Snoring & Sleep Apnea in Lake Oswego

Fotona Nightlase Therapy is a non-invasive procedure that uses gentle laser light to tighten the soft tissues in the mouth and throat, reducing the frequency and intensity of snoring and improving the symptoms of sleep apnea. This treatment is painless, requires no downtime, and is safe, with no reported side effects.

Benefits of Fotona Nightlase Therapy include:

• Long-lasting Results: Nightlase provides long-lasting results, with most patients experiencing a significant reduction in snoring and sleep apnea symptoms after just one or two sessions. A series of three to four treatments can provide even more substantial and long-lasting results.
• Comfortable: Nightlase is non-invasive and painless, with no cutting or surgery required. The gentle laser light used in the treatment is comfortable and safe.
• Effective: The Fotona laser can improve symptoms of snoring and sleep apnea by tightening the soft tissues in the mouth and throat. Patients typically see results after just one or two sessions, with long-lasting effects achieved after a series of treatments.
• Convenient: This treatment requires no downtime, with patients able to return to their daily activities immediately after treatment. The treatment is also safe, with no reported side effects.
• Non-invasive: Unlike other treatment options, such as surgery or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, Nightlase is a non-invasive solution that does not require masks or straps.
• Quick and Painless: The treatment is quick and painless, with most sessions taking less than 30 minutes to complete. Patients can return to their daily activities immediately after the treatment.

Call Us Today for Better Sleep and a Healthier Life in Lake Oswego

While sleep apnea and snoring are common, they’re also treatable and should be addressed as soon as possible. Don’t wait for snoring or sleep apnea to push away your intimate partners or cause you severe health problems. Call Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego by dialing (503) 675-7300 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bowden. 

You can also request an appointment online, and one of our friendly team members will get back to you shortly. We serve new and returning patients from Lake Oswego and surrounding areas such as Portland, Tualatin, Wilsonville, Beaverton, Tigard, and Sherwood, OR.