Innovative Dental Treatment for Sleep Apnea
Smile Makeover Cartagena Dental Clinic – Dr. Fanny Valera
Frequent snoring and sleep apnea not only affect your rest and that of your partner, but they can also have serious consequences for your health. Sleep apnea causes pauses in breathing during the night, reducing oxygen levels in your body and increasing the risk of:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Depression and irritability
- Heart disease and stroke
- Daytime sleepiness and poor performance
- Even sudden death in severe cases
It’s not just about sleeping poorly: this is a health problem that must be treated as soon as possible.
What is this Dental Sleep Appliance?
It is an advanced intraoral appliance designed to treat mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and chronic snoring. Its mechanism consists of controlled mandibular advancement, which keeps the airway open during the night, improving breathing and sleep quality.
This treatment is a more comfortable and discreet alternative to CPAP, ideal for patients seeking a practical and effective solution.
Main Indications
- Patients with frequent snoring
- Individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea
- Those who cannot tolerate more complex devices such as CPAP
- Travelers who need a portable and easy‑to‑use option
Production Time
At Smile Makeover Cartagena, under the direction of Dr. Fanny Valera, the appliance is manufactured in just 7 business days, thanks to a state‑of‑the‑art digital workflow that ensures precision, comfort, and immediate results.
Patient Benefits
- Immediate improvement in sleep quality
- Reduction of snoring and breathing pauses
- Discreet, comfortable, and easy to carry appliance
- Fast and personalized fabrication
- Comprehensive care with professional support
Features of the Dental Sleep Appliance
- Flexible, thin, and comfortable to wear throughout the night
- Gently advances the lower jaw to maintain the airway open
- Activates airway muscles and ligaments to prevent collapse during sleep
- Includes extra connectors in various sizes for personalized adjustment
- Comes with an AM Aligner to exercise and realign the jaw each morning after nighttime mandibular advancement
- Daily use of the AM Aligner helps prevent bite changes and tooth movement
With these features, the appliance helps patients achieve a deeper, more restorative sleep, effectively treating both sleep apnea and chronic snoring.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a respiratory disorder that causes pauses in breathing during sleep. Left untreated, it can lead to:
- Loud, persistent snoring
- Daytime sleepiness and fatigue
- Reduced sleep quality
- Serious health risks such as high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, heart disease, stroke, and even sudden death
Types of sleep apnea include:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): repeated blockage of the upper airway
- Central Sleep Apnea: the brain fails to send proper breathing signals
- Mixed Sleep Apnea: a combination of both
Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
- Loud, constant snoring
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Morning headaches and dry mouth
- Daytime fatigue and drowsiness
- Irritability and difficulty concentrating
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Night sweats
- High blood pressure
If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule your consultation at Smile Makeover Cartagena.
ADA Recommendations
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), dentists are encouraged to screen patients for sleep‑related breathing disorders (SRBDs) as part of a comprehensive medical and dental history.
Screening involves:
- Recognizing symptoms such as daytime sleepiness, choking, snoring, or witnessed apneas
- Evaluating risk factors such as obesity, retrognathia, or hypertension
- Referring patients to physicians for proper diagnosis when risk is identified
This ensures a safe and comprehensive approach for patients suffering from sleep apnea or chronic snoring.
International Cost Comparison
| Region | Average Price (USD) | Approximate Price (COP) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 1,000 – 1,200 USD | 4,000,000 – 4,800,000 COP |
| Europe | 850 – 1,050 USD | 3,400,000 – 4,200,000 COP |
| Colombia (Smile Makeover Cartagena) | 600 – 750 USD | 2,500,000 – 3,000,000 COP |
(Approximate values, subject to variation depending on clinic and country)
Snoring Treatment in Cartagena
Snoring doesn’t just disturb your partner’s sleep — it can also affect your own health and daily performance. Daytime sleepiness and fatigue are among the main reasons people seek treatment. With our custom dental sleep appliance, you can finally say goodbye to snoring.
What Causes Snoring?
During sleep, the muscles and soft tissues of the throat and mouth relax, narrowing the airway. This increases airflow speed, causing the soft palate and uvula to vibrate. These vibrations result in the “noisy breathing” we call snoring.
How Can I Stop Snoring?
For most patients, the most affordable, non‑invasive, comfortable, and effective solution is a mandibular advancement device prescribed by our dentists.
This appliance is custom‑made for each patient and treats both chronic snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea by gently moving the lower jaw forward into a therapeutic position during sleep. This increases airway space, reduces airflow speed, and minimizes vibration of the soft tissues.
The device consists of upper and lower transparent, flexible splints that fit securely over the teeth. The fit is excellent and comfortable, allowing natural oral breathing throughout the night.
Proven Results
Most patients find oral appliance therapy highly successful. A clinical study that followed patients for 2.5 years found that 90% of participants accepted and continued using oral devices, with significant improvements in breathing function and sleep quality.
Book Your Consultation
Schedule your appointment with Dr. Fanny Valera at Smile Makeover Cartagena and discover if our dental sleep appliance is the right solution for you.
📞 Call us today at +57‑3188895225 to book your consultation and experience how a snoring treatment in Cartagena can transform your sleep and your health.
At Smile Makeover Cartagena, Dr. Fanny Valera and her team provide this treatment with an integral approach: clinical excellence, digital technology, and human care for every patient.
