Sleep Apnea Treatments Wellington FL

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea is a medical condition characterized by moments during a person’s sleep when a person stops breathing for approximately 10 seconds which causes the patient to wake up. The result of such a pattern of sleep and arousal means the individual does not get the needed rest. Unfortunately, it can also mean a host of other medical problems and/or conditions. There are different types of sleep apnea but the important thing to note is that it is a disorder that has potentially very serious consequences. A physician needs to be consulted.

SomnoMed Patient Testimonial Video

Dr. Marisol Lopez-Belio and her assistant Danielle Prieto attended the 22nd Annual American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine convention in Baltimore, Maryland. They have been working with sleep physicians in South Florida since 2009, treating sleep apnea with oral appliances, and having excellent results. Attendance at this conference is a testimony to their continued resolve to provide patients with the latest scientific and technological advances for the best possible treatment.”

May / June 2013

Ready To Improve Your Sleep?

Contact us with any questions or to schedule a consultation!

Call us: 561-791-8184 Request An Appointment

How does a dentist approach treatment for sleep apnea?  How can we help you?

If you think you are suffering from Sleep Apnea or severe snoring, you should contact your medical doctor. He or she will refer you to a sleep center for a sleep study, and will diagnose your condition.  Your doctor will probably recommend a CPAP. A CPAP is a machine that pumps oxygen into you through a mask that you wear over your mouth.  Many patients unfortunately cannot tolerate the CPAP machine.
As an alternative to the CPAP we can make an Oral Appliance like the one in the video on this page. You would wear the Oral Appliance only at night.  This appliance will keep your lower jaw slightly forward so that the pharyngeal muscles ( muscles of the throat) won’t collapse and obstruct the airway.
It is very comfortable to wear. You can speak and drink water while wearing it.
Please call us for a consultation. Bring your sleep study and the doctor’s diagnosis to the appointment.  We’d love to help you!
Not only will you sleep better…..it may very well save your life!


One of the appliances we use is the SomnoDent Flex™ — pictured below (Left). It has a “drop in” fit, and patients find it easy and comfortable to use, and more importantly, very effective. We also use the ProSomnus® MicrO2® Sleep and Snore Device, equally comfortable – making it easy for patients to comply with their treatment for sleep apnea (Photo on Right).

SomnoDent Flex™                    ProSomnus® MicrO2®

Note from patient thanking Dr. Lopez-Belio from sleep apnea treatment

Sleep Questions You Should Ask Yourself:

1. Do you Snore?
2. Do you have high blood pressure?
3. Has anyone reported that you choke or gasp for air while sleeping?
4. Do you wake refreshed?
5. Are you excessively tired during the day?
6. What is your neck size in inches?

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale

This scale is used to determine the level of daytime sleepiness. It provides an indication as to whether a person needs to improve their sleep hygiene and/or see a sleep specialist.

How likely are you to fall asleep in the following situations?

0 = Would Never Doze
1 = Slight Chance of Dozing
2 = Moderate Chance of Dozing
3 = High Chance of Dozing
Activity Score
Sitting & Reading ________
Watching Television ________
Sitting, inactive, in a public place (Theater, Meeting) ________
As a passenger in a car for an hour with no break ________
Lying down to rest in the afternoon, if circumstances permit ________
Sitting and talking to someone ________
Sitting quietly after lunch without alcohol ________
In a car while stopped for a few minutes in traffic ________
TOTAL SCORE ________

A score of 10 or more is considered sleepy. A score of 18 or more is very sleepy. If you score 10 or more on this test, you should consider whether you are obtaining adequate sleep, need to improve your sleep hygiene and/or see a sleep specialist.

With a score of 10 or above, you may be having a problem with daytime sleepiness. However, below 10 does not necessarily mean you do not have a problem.

The Watch-PAT Home Sleep Study is now available in our office to detect sleep-related breathing disorders.

Unlike the traditional PSG sleep studies that take place in hospitals or sleep centers, this test is taken at home, while wearing a device that looks like a watch, and a sensor on one finger.  It can also be used as a follow-up test following the use of oral appliance therapy to test the results.

Ready To Improve Your Sleep?

Contact us with any questions or to schedule a consultation!

Call us: 561-791-8184 Request An Appointment