Sleep apnea causes difficulty breathing while you are asleep. It affects both adults and children. If you’ve been diagnosed with a sleep breathing disorder, Libertyville dentist Dr. Potts provides treatment with the Vivos® System. You’ll breathe better, sleep better, and feel better.
What Is the Vivos® System?
The Vivos System uses comfortable, proprietary orthodontic appliances and therapies to treat sleep breathing disorders. Treatment is non-surgical and non-pharmaceutical. For 12 to 24 months, as determined by Dr. Potts, you’ll wear a Vivos custom oral appliance in the evenings and while you sleep. It will restructure your jawbone and occlusion, gradually expand your airway, and result in a lasting solution to your breathing disorder.
What’s the Process?
After you receive a sleep apnea diagnosis from a medical doctor, Dr. Potts can provide treatment. He will take the following steps:
- Use advanced scanning technology for precise measurements and a custom appliance that fits well
- Design a treatment plan
- Give you the appliance and instructions for wearing it during the evenings and while you sleep
- Schedule checkup appointments to monitor the progress and adjust the appliance
How Does It Work?
Vivos® DNA Appliance
A Vivos oral appliance is custom made to fit in your mouth. As you wear the appliance, it realigns your mouth and facial profile to improve your breathing.
- Remodels your dental arch
- Gradually restructures the bones in your jaw
- Creates space to open your airway
Why Is the Vivos System Effective?
Airway obstruction causes most sleep breathing disorders. And studies show that narrow dental arches, an underdeveloped jaw—or both—can contribute to airway obstruction. “In 98% of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, the condition is due to abnormal anatomical features of the soft tissues and/or the structures of the maxillomandibular skeleton (jawbone) that cause a “disproportionate anatomy” of the airway.” – Archives of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, VOL 137 (NO. 10), OCT 2011.
Vivos appliances restructure abnormal anatomy to keep your airway open. At the end of treatment, you’ll stop wearing the appliance. Many people don’t need further treatment.
How Do Know If You Have Sleep Apnea?
If you are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, you’ll need an exam and sleep study from a board-certified physician to receive an accurate diagnosis. Dr. Potts treats mild to moderate sleep apnea, snoring, or other types of sleep breathing disorders.
How Are Children Affected by Sleep Apnea?
Children can experience the same symptoms as adults, including loud snoring, gasping for air, choking, or pauses in breathing. Additionally, a sleep breathing disorder can contribute to other conditions in children:
- Bedwetting
- Chronic allergies
- Crooked or crowded teeth
- Dark circles under eyes
- Swollen tonsils and adenoids
- Nightmares or night terrors
Or you might notice daytime signs, including:
- ADD/ADHD
- Behavioral problems
- Difficulty paying attention
- Hyperactivity
- Learning issues
- Poor performance at school
If your child consistently has signs or symptoms of sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with your child’s doctor. Vivos offers preventive treatment for children with early signs of developing a sleep breathing disorder.
When Will You See Results?
Most patients notice an improvement in their sleep breathing within a few weeks—or a few days. You’ll have periodic checkup appointments with Dr. Potts to adjust the device and monitor your progress. When treatment is complete, you’ll have lasting relief.
Call us for an appointment or schedule an appointment online.