18 to 20 million people in the U.S. suffer from sleep apnea, and many use a cumbersome CPAP machine to fight the condition. But there's a new device that's a smaller alternative.
Richard Shoenfeld has sleep apnea. His wife Carol has endured his snoring for most of their 23-year marriage, "She'd sort of punch me, or kick me, and say wake up. She'd shake me."
"What happens in sleep apnea is it's constantly described as crescendo snoring. So, it's snoring that starts off light and gets louder and louder and then there's a characteristic choke and then a gasp for air," says dental researcher, Dr. Paul McLornan.
"It scared me and then I would listen for that so I didn't sleep," says Carol.
Sleep apnea puts you at higher risk for high blood pressure, stroke and heart failure. The traditional treatment has been the use of a cumbersome and restrictive machine called CPAP. "You can't roll over and you have to sleep mostly on your back," says Richard.
Now he uses an alternative oral device called the thornton adjustable positioner or "TAP." It's like having two sports guards in the mouth, one on the upper and one on the lower teeth. He connects the two using a metal hook. A key turns the jaw into position to hold the airway open. "The patient will continue to adjust the appliance one turn per night," says Dr. McLornan.
Adjustments with the key no longer need to be made when the snoring stops. "It's the most wonderful thing I've ever had happen because it's opened up my air passage and i can sleep on my back. I can sleep on my side," says Richard. "I get to sleep all night without waking up and he does, too" says Carol.
It's also lowered Richard's blood pressure - another reason for the Schoenfeld's to rest easier.
The Thornton adjustable positioner is custom-made for each patient. The device costs anywhere from $1,400 to $1,800 and is often covered by insurance.
