Snoring and Sleep Apnea

H. Charles Jelinek, Jr., D.D.S.
Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine

Center for CPAP Intolerance

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that affects people of all ages. It is an involuntary cessation of breath that occurs while someone is sleeping. Those who have this disorder stop breathing for at least 10 seconds at a time, ultimately leading to fragmented non-refreshing sleep. This disruption can occur hundreds of times per night, sometimes for one minute or longer.

One indicator of sleep apnea is snoring. Snoring is not only disruptive, but can lead to several medical problems including:

  • Choking and/or gasping during sleep
  • Memory loss
  • High blood pressure
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Anxiety
  • Dozing while driving
  • Hypertension
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Stroke
  • Depression
  • Headaches
  • Acid Reflux
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic Fatigue

Dr. Jelinek is one of only five dentists in the Washington DC/ Maryland / Northern Virginia Metro area who is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.

This distinction makes him uniquely qualified to treat patients who have a variety of snoring and sleep apnea conditions especially those who are CPAP intolerant.

The Dangers of Snoring

Snoring doesn't just interrupt your sleep cycle. The struggle for breath can result in high blood pressure, which can damage the walls of the carotid arteries and increase the risk of stroke. At certain levels of severity, complete blockage of the airway by the soft tissues and tongue can occur. If this period of asphyxiation lasts longer than 10 seconds, it is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a medical condition with serious long-term effects.

What Causes Snoring?

During sleep, muscles and soft tissues in the throat and mouth relax, shrinking the airway. This increases the speed of airflow during breathing. As the speed of required air is increased, soft tissues (like the soft palate and uvula) vibrate. The vibrations of these tissues result in "noisy breathing" or snoring. This means that the airway has collapsed and the muscles are failing to maintain their normal function.

Sleep Apnea

How Can an Oral Appliance Prevent Snoring?

A custom-fabricated intraoral dental device moves the lower jaw (mandible) into a forward position, increasing space in the airway. This extra space that is created prevents the airway from collapsing, which can help prevent snoring.


This is why we treat Sleep Disordered Breathing, commonly referred to as Sleep Apnea:



Sleep Apnea Review

Based on referrals, I sought treatment for my sleep apnea from Dr. Jelinek, Jr., DDS. Sleep apnea is a common disorder that results in the involuntary cessation of breath that occurs while someone is sleeping. I had severe sleep apnea and after several years of unsuccessful results from a CPAP machine, ... I was interested in trying an oral appliance. An oral appliance is a custom-fabricated dental device that moves the lower jaw into a forward position, increasing space in the airway. The extra space that is created prevents the airway from collapsing, which can help to reduce sleep apnea. Without treatment, sleep apnea can result in high blood pressure, which can damage the walls of the carotid arteries and increase the risk of stroke I elected to seek treatment from Dr. Jelinek because he is one of only five dentists in the Washington DC Metro area who is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. He is especially qualified and experienced in treating patients with sleep apnea who are CPAP intolerant. My experience thus far has been OUTSTANDING! Dr. Jelinek and his entire staff are extremely professional, courteous and caring. Every step of the process in obtaining an oral appliance was explained in detail with measurement procedures performed in expert fashion. I have been using an oral appliance for approximately one month. The results were immediate and life changing. I now sleep throughout the entire night, not waking up 3 or 4 times like I was prior to my using an appliance. I am now able to reach such a deep sleep that I experience incredible dreams, compared to no memory of dreaming when I was previously waking up 3 or 4 times a night. I would rate my experience and results from Dr. Jelinek and his superb staff as an A+. I am very pleased and deeply appreciative with my improved ability to sleep through the night. I now look forward to an evening's sleep where my prior sleep experience was a constant battle to fall asleep. I sincerely thank and am very grateful to Dr. Jelinek and his entire crew for their dedication to improving the lives of patients through the use of an appliance that provides restorative sleep. Read more

- Howard C.






Sleep Apnea





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  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
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