Welcome to Morrison Dental
Sleep Dentistry
Sleep Dentistry patients must have a referral from a
physican prior to scheduling an appointment
Sleep Dentistry in Savannah, Brunswick & Bluffton
At Morrison Dental Associates, we specialize in sleep dentistry to help patients achieve restful, uninterrupted sleep while addressing serious conditions like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic snoring. Our team provides personalized treatment options, including oral appliance therapy and works closely with sleep physicians to ensure safe, effective care.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliances are a first-line treatment for snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. These small, custom-made devices fit in the mouth like a sports mouthguard or orthodontic retainer, keeping the airway open by preventing the tongue and soft tissues from collapsing during sleep.
Benefits of oral appliance therapy:
- Comfortable and easy to wear; most patients acclimate in 1-2 weeks
- Small and portable, making it ideal for travel
- Non-invasive and reversible
- Can be used alone or alongside other treatments, such as CPAP, weight management, or surgery
Types of oral appliances:
- Tongue Retaining Appliances (TRA): Holds the tongue forward to keep the airway clear.
- Mandibular Repositioning Appliances (MRA): Gently repositions the lower jaw forward, keeping the airway open and stimulating tongue muscles for stability.
Standards of care:
Patients with primary snoring or mild 0SA who do not respond to lifestyle measures may benefit from oral appliances.
Those with moderate to severe OSA should undergo a thorough evaluation by a sleep physician and often start with CPAP therapy.
Oral appliances are effective for patients intolerant of CPAP or not candidates for surgery such as tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or craniofacial procedures.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening condition in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. This can occur when throat muscles relax or the tongue obstructs the airway, reducing oxygen supply to vital organs like the heart and brain.
Symptoms of 0SA and sleep-related breathing disorders include:
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Morning headaches or dry mouth
- Restless or fitful sleep
- Memory problems, difficulty concentrating, or mood changes
- Frequent nighttime urination
Health risks of untreated sleep apnea:
- Hypertension
- Stroke
- Heart attack
Schedule Your Sleep Dentistry Consultation
If you or a loved one struggle with snoring, fatigue, or sleep apnea, it’s time to take action. Our team at Morrison Dental Associates offers personalized sleep dentistry solutions in our offices in Savannah, Ga., Brunswick, Ga., and Bluffton, S.C. Savannah, Brunswick, and Bluffton to help you:
- Breathe easier at night
- Improve sleep quality
- Reduce health risks associated with untreated sleep disorders