Dental Health Check with Dr. Linda Niessen
Dental health topics from Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry
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 Sleep Device

By Dr. Linda Niessen
Monday, August 02, 2004

STORY: SLEEP DEVICE
SCRIPT #568 SHOOT: 7/14/04
AIRDATE: Monday, August 2, 2004
DHC Master #19 Timecode: 48:24

At least 18 million Americans stop breathing every night while they sleep. They suffer from sleep apnea, a sleeping disorder that can be life-threatening. Dr. Linda Niessen looks at how a dental device that moves the lower jaw forward may be helpful. Details in this segment of Dental Health Check.

When air cannot flow into or out of a person’s nose or mouth during sleep, breathing can stop for up to a minute. This is called obstructive sleep apnea.

In most cases, the pause is interrupted by coughing or choking. These frequent interruptions during the night robs patients of deep, restorative sleep. Bill Glass was first diagnosed with sleep apnea during an airplane trip.

“A man sitting across the aisle from me, a sleep therapist, a doctor who was a sleep therapist, said you know, you have sleep apnea. And I said how do you know and he said I heard you breathing and not breathing when you were sleeping.”

Bill Glass was referred by his physician to Dr. Keith Thornton. The Dallas dentist prescribes a device of his own invention called TAP. TAP stands for Thornton Adjustable Positioner.

“The majority of patients are fairly severe apnea patients who have had real problems being managed.”
      
Thornton’s appliance allows the patient to adjust the position of the lower jaw for effectiveness and comfort.

“When I’m sleeping, it keeps my windpipe open.”

“They can feel the difference and feel the airway open. So it’s all connected to the jaw, the jaw position and musculature, and where that is at night.” Dr. Thornton also reports success in helping patients who snore at night.

Sleep apnea needs to be treated because it can lead to serious health problems. Your physician and your dentist may be able to provide solutions. For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M System, I’m Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.

Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and  the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.

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