At TMJ & Airway Associates, Dr. Ivan F. Stein and Dr. Allan J. Stein provide advanced airway-focused treatment for patients throughout West Orange, Livingston, and Short Hills, NJ. Their practice focuses on non-invasive solutions that may help patients breathe more comfortably and improve sleep quality without relying solely on traditional CPAP therapy.

One innovative option offered at the practice is the Oravan Device, an FDA-cleared oral appliance engineered by Dr. Ivan Stein to help treat obstructive sleep apnea and snoring comfortably and effectively.

How the Oravan Device Works

The Oravan Device works by gently repositioning the lower jaw forward during sleep. This slight adjustment may help keep the airway more open by reducing soft tissue collapse behind the tongue and throat. Improved airflow may help decrease breathing interruptions, snoring, and other symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

Unlike bulky sleep equipment, the appliance is compact, quiet, and custom-fabricated for each patient. Its smaller profile often makes it easier for patients to wear consistently and comfortably throughout the night.

Why Many Patients Prefer This Appliance

Comfort and convenience are two of the biggest reasons patients respond well to oral appliance therapy. While CPAP therapy remains effective for many individuals, some patients struggle with masks, noise, or difficulty traveling with equipment. The Oravan Device offers a discreet alternative that fits directly over the teeth.

Patients often appreciate that the appliance:

• Is custom fit for comfort
• Does not require hoses or machinery
• Is portable and travel-friendly
• Allows more natural movement during sleep
• Is easy to use nightly

Consistency is important in sleep apnea treatment, and comfortable appliances may improve long-term compliance for many patients.

Airway Health and TMJ Function

Airway concerns and TMJ dysfunction are often connected. Restricted airflow during sleep may place excess strain on the jaw muscles as the body attempts to maintain an open airway. Over time, this may contribute to jaw tension, headaches, facial discomfort, and disrupted sleep.

Dr. Ivan Stein and Dr. Allan Stein take a comprehensive approach to treatment by evaluating both airway function and TMJ health when developing personalized care plans.

Sleep Apnea Treatment In West Orange, NJ

TMJ & Airway Associates provides advanced airway and sleep apnea treatment for patients in West Orange, Livingston, and Short Hills, NJ. Dr. Ivan F. Stein and Dr. Allan J. Stein combine extensive experience with innovative technology to help patients explore comfortable alternatives for snoring and sleep apnea treatment. Contact TMJ & Airway Associates at (855) 949-7667 to schedule a consultation and learn whether the Oravan Device may be right for you.

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If you are worried about your snoring or suspect you may have sleep apnea, TMJ & Airway Associates provides expert evaluation and treatment. Dr. Ivan Stein and Dr. Allan Stein specialize in identifying the root cause of snoring and offering effective solutions.

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring happens when airflow is partially blocked during sleep, leading to vibrations in the throat. Other causes may include:

Nasal Congestion and Allergies

Blocked nasal passages from allergies, colds, or sinus infections make breathing through the nose difficult. As a result, breathing shifts to the mouth, which increases the chance of snoring.

Excess Weight and Obesity

Extra weight, particularly around the neck, can put pressure on the airway, increasing the likelihood of airway collapse during sleep and leading to snoring.

Alcohol and Sedative Use

Consuming alcohol or sedatives before bedtime relaxes throat muscles, which can contribute to airway obstruction and cause snoring.

Sleeping Position

Lying on your back often worsens snoring since gravity causes the tongue and soft tissues in the throat to move backward, partially blocking the airway.

Structural Airway Issues

Certain anatomical traits, such as a deviated septum, enlarged tonsils, or an elongated soft palate, can create resistance in the airway, making snoring more likely.

When Snoring May Indicate Sleep Apnea

While occasional snoring is normal, frequent and loud snoring can signal obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—a condition where the airway repeatedly becomes completely blocked during sleep, causing short breathing pauses. Symptoms that might suggest sleep apnea include:

• Loud, persistent snoring followed by choking or gasping for air
• Daytime tiredness, headaches, or trouble focusing
• High blood pressure or other heart-related concerns
• Restless sleep and frequent nighttime awakenings

If these symptoms sound familiar, a sleep specialist can conduct an evaluation to determine whether sleep apnea is present and recommend appropriate treatment.

Take Charge of Your Sleep Health

Although snoring is not always a symptom of sleep apnea, frequent or loud snoring should not be ignored. Whether caused by lifestyle factors or an underlying sleep disorder, addressing snoring can significantly improve sleep quality and overall well-being. If you’re concerned about your snoring, consider scheduling a consultation with Dr. Ivan Stein and Dr. Allan Stein at TMJ & Airway Associates to explore treatment options tailored to your needs.

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About Snoring

Snoring is the harsh, often loud sound that escapes when relaxed tissues in the throat vibrate as you breath. Snoring can occur in almost anyone now and then, such as those suffering from allergies or nasal congestion. However, some individuals experience snoring as a chronic issue. Sometimes, snoring can be extremely loud, and you may end up waking yourself up due to the noise, especially if you are a light sleeper. Excessive snoring can also be a detriment to your partner or anyone else in range. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, adjusting your medications, quitting smoking, and limiting the consumption of alcohol, are often recommended to help you stop snoring, but this advice may not be effective if you have sleep apnea.

Other Sleep Apnea Symptoms

While not everyone who snores will have sleep apnea, when snoring is experienced with other symptoms, it may be time to schedule an appointment for an obstructive sleep apnea evaluation. Other symptoms include:

• Repeated pauses in breathing during sleep
• Issues concentrating on tasks, especially during the day
• Frequent daytime sleepiness
• Headaches upon waking
• Sensation of a sore throat after waking up
• Tossing and turning during sleep
• Choking, coughing, or gasping for air at night
• Hypertension
• Chest pressure or pain at night

Sleep apnea can affect children as well. If you notice that your child has been exhibiting behavioral changes or poor performance in school, poor sleep due to sleep apnea could be a cause.

When Is It Time to Seek Treatment?

Any of the aforementioned symptoms may be reason alone to see a doctor. Sleep apnea can have serious health consequences, and therefore patients must remain observant of any symptoms associated with the condition so that quick and effective treatment can be administered.

Fortunately, sleep-apnea-related snoring can be treated with oral appliance therapy at TMJ & Airway Associates.

Snoring Relief in New Jersey

While snoring may not always be a symptom of sleep apnea, it should not be dismissed. If you have been experiencing chronic snoring — in addition to other serious symptoms related to sleep apnea —  do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with one of our dental professionals who specialize in the treatment of sleep disorders. Contact us today for an appointment.

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Mouth Snoring

Mouth-based snoring occurs when a person breathes through the mouth as opposed to the nose during sleep. When breathing regularly through the nose, air freely flows over the palate without blockage or disruption. Mouth snorers may have thick palates that narrow the airway and can lead to loud snoring. They may also be overweight, have low muscle tone, and have additional throat tissue that can further restrict the airway and contribute to mouth snoring.

Nasal Snoring

When you hear the term “nasal snoring” you may think that it describes snoring through the nose. Rather, the term is used to categorize snoring that results from issues within the nasal structure. Nasal snoring can be the result of a few things, including:

Nasal blockage: This can be a result of a cold or flu, deviated septum, smoking, allergies, and certain medications. Conditions that affect nasal passages, such as congestion and inflammation, may also be culprits for this type of snoring.

Small Nostrils: Small nostrils, and even collapsed nostrils, can lead to disrupted breathing while sleeping.

Am I a mouth snorer or nasal snorer?

If you suspect that you are snoring but are not sure if you are a mouth snorer or a nasal snorer, there is a quick and easy way to check this for yourself. In front of a mirror, press one finger over one nostril to close it off. If your open nostril caves in as you breathe through it, you may be a nose snorer. Additionally, you may be a nose snorer if you have difficulty breathing through your nose with a closed mouth in general. Although there are quick tests that you can perform to see what type of snorer you are, the advice of experts is indispensable. The only way to get details about snoring, rule out other conditions, and gain a better understanding of your nighttime breathing health is to consult with skilled doctors, such as Dr. Ivan Stein or Dr. Allan Stein.

Snoring Solutions in New Jersey

The experts at TMJ & Airway Associates are eager to help you. If you are ready to seek help for your snoring, schedule a consultation with Dr. Ivan Stein or Dr. Allan Stein by calling (855) 949-7667 today.

The post Are You a Mouth Snorer or a Nasal Snorer? appeared first on TMJ & Airway Associates.

What Is Snoring?

If you or a loved one snore, you are not alone. Snoring is a common condition. It is characterized by a loud, audible noise emitted while a person is sleeping. It happens when the airway in the throat is partially blocked. The blockage prevents the free flow of air. When air travels down the narrow space in the throat, the soft palate vibrates, causing the snoring noise.

A blockage in the airway can interfere with breathing and quality sleep. This can be detrimental to a person’s health. Snoring may also be indicative of other sleep disorders, including sleep apnea.

How Is Sound Measured?

In order to know how loud a person’s snoring is, the sound must be measured. Sound is measured in decibels. A decibel is a unit used to measure the intensity of a sound. On a decibel scale, near complete silence is zero decibels. A whisper is around 15 decibels. A normal conversation is around 60 decibels. A sound that is 85 decibels or higher can cause hearing loss.

Just How Loud Can Snoring Get?

Not all snoring is created equal. There is a great variation in the sound of snores. Some people may have quiet snores while others may have very loud snores. The loudest snores on record, according to the Guinness World Records, belong to a person who suffered from sleep apnea. The snores were recorded at peak levels of 93 decibels. There have also been reports of a woman with snores as loud as 111.6 decibels.

Snoring Treatment Options

Loud snoring can be more than just an annoyance for others trying to sleep. Snoring is actually linked to other health issues. One study linked snoring intensity to the severity of obstructive sleep apnea.

If you are snoring you should discuss your treatment options with your doctor. The first step to treating your snoring is scheduling a snoring consultation.

Schedule a Snoring Consultation

If you or a loved one is snoring it is time to schedule a snoring consultation with TMJ & Airway Associates in West Orange. Dr. Ivan Stein and Dr. Allan Stein can evaluate your snoring and provide you with treatment options. For a snoring consultation with TMJ & Airway Associates, please call (855) 949-7667.

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TikTok’s Mouth Taping Trend Is Dangerous

Millions have viewed videos on TikTok touting the benefits of taping your mouth shut while you sleep. The idea behind mouth taping is that by restricting the mouth, a person will be forced to breathe through their nose while they sleep. Doing this is supposed to help with a number of sleep issues including mouth breathing, snoring and sleep apnea.

According to SleepFoundation.org, mouth taping may help with negative effects associated with mouth breathing. Per SleepFoundation.org, those who support mouth taping claim it may help reduce the negative effects thought to be associated with mouth breathing. This includes sleep-disordered breathing, bad breath and gum disease.

Mouth taping is dangerous. While information on mouth taping is limited, it is easy to understand how obstructing the mouth can be dangerous. Obstructing the mouth obstructs airflow which could cause a person to choke or suffocate during the night. Mouth taping may also cause damage to the skin on and around the lips.

Breathing Through Your Nose Is Healthy

The purpose of mouth taping is to encourage nose breathing. While the method is dangerous, the desired result can actually be healthy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, breathing through your nose has a number of benefits, including the following:

• Temperature control of air
• Filtering allergens and other toxins
• Humidifying the air you breathe
• Lowering blood pressure
• Reducing anxiety
• Detecting smells

TMJ & Airway Associates Offers Safe Treatment Options

If you are having issues with your breathing and sleep, then the talented and knowledgeable doctors at TMJ & Airway Associates are here to help. They offer patients a variety of safe and effective treatment options (no tape required).

Contact TMJ & Airway Associates Today

Just because something is trending, doesn’t mean it is safe. Please do not join TikTok’s mouth taping trend. If you are suffering from breathing or sleep issues, you should contact Dr. Stein and Dr. Stein at TMJ & Airway Associates. Call us today at (855) 949-7667 to schedule a consultation.

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Unfortunately, when your sleep is suffering, you are more likely to bring up the topic in an abrupt or aggressive manner. If your loved one is repeatedly keeping you up at night, you may tell your loved one that they are snoring by waking them up and gruffly telling them to stop snoring. This approach tends to work temporarily because it wakes up the snorer and stops them from snoring while they are awake. However, it is not a lasting solution.

If you are tired (pun intended) of hearing your loved one snore, then it may be time to talk to him or her about the issue. In some instances, your loved one may not even be aware that they are snoring. Continue reading as Dr. Ivan Stein and Dr. Allan Stein at TMJ & Airway Associates discuss how you can delicately tell a loved one that they snore.

Choose the Right Time To Talk

Life is busy and when you are addressing delicate and important subjects it is important to choose the right time to talk. If your partner is snoring, you are probably not getting the best sleep. Your partner’s sleep may be suffering as well. Try to choose a time for the conversation when you are both at your best and can focus on the conversation. You can let your loved one know ahead of time that you want to talk about something important and ask them when they think it would be a good time to talk.

Focus on the Problem

When you are talking to your loved one, focus on the problem and not your loved one. This shows that you are coming from a place of love. Your partner may not even realize that they are snoring or that their snoring is impacting your sleep. Talk as well as listen.

Come Up With a Solution Together

If you are telling your loved one that they snore, you presumably want them to do something about the snoring. Avoid the temptation to tell your loved one what to do. Instead, offer to work on a solution together. The best way to address snoring is to figure out what is causing the issue. This often involves talking to a doctor to explore possible health-related causes.

Contact Us About Snoring Treatment in New Jersey

You don’t have to live with snoring. Contact Dr. Ivan Stein and Dr. Allan Stein at TMJ & Airway Associates for further evaluation by calling (855) 949-7667.

The post How To Talk To a Loved One About Their Snoring appeared first on TMJ & Airway Associates.

The Rates at Which People Snore

Snoring is a normal part of life for many Americans. To better understand the statistics, a distinction should be made between occasional and habitual snoring. Nearly half of adults — an estimated 45% — snore from time to time, while about one in four people snore on a nightly (or nearly nightly) basis.

Breaking down the numbers further, men are about 1.5 times more likely to snore than women. Moreover, while it is true that people are more likely to start snoring as they get older (due to age-related relaxation of the tongue and throat muscles), even kids snore.

How to Know Whether Your Snoring Is “Normal”

The tricky part for many people is determining whether their snoring is normal or indicative of a more serious health problem.

First, it helps to know some of the most common causes of snoring. Allergies, colds and sinus infections can impede the airway and cause snoring. Drinking alcohol can have a similar effect. Even one’s sleep position can play a role — the throat narrows more in people who lie on their back in bed.

However, about 6% of American adults have obstructive sleep apnea, a much more serious problem that warrants intervention. During the night, the breathing of a person with sleep apnea starts and stops. Since people do not notice this while asleep, the signs they should look for are waking up repeatedly during the night and excessive daytime fatigue. It can also cause headaches in the morning, irritability and difficulty concentrating.

If You Have Ongoing Concerns, Seek Help from Professionals

Dr. Ivan Stein and Dr. Allan Stein are experts in diagnosing and treating obstructive sleep apnea. If you are worried that your snoring may be indicative of a problem and want a formal diagnosis, our team can set you up with a sleep specialist and then devise a treatment plan that corresponds with the findings. Trust us when we say that life gets so much better once chronic snoring has been addressed! To schedule a consultation with our dentists in West Orange, please call (855) 949-7667.

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Snoring Wakes Your Partner

Obstructive sleep apnea causes an individual to snore, gasp for air and sometimes also move restlessly or kick in the night. These events can happen hundreds of times per night. Obviously, this results in disruption of sleep not only for the patient, but for their sleeping partner as well. As a result, many of the negative side effects of sleep apnea are experienced by not one but both partners. This may include daytime fatigue and trouble concentrating, mood swings, trouble at work and even increased stress hormones from repeated and unexpected waking.

Separated Bedrooms and Decreased Intimacy

The difficulties of snoring and poor sleep cause many couples to begin to sleep in separate bedrooms. While this may help one partner sleep, it can lead to disruptions in affection, emotional intimacy, sex and general feelings of closeness. In today’s busy working world, nighttime may be the only time couples have to be physically close and to bond. Research has also indicated that sexual dysfunction is common in men with sleep apnea due to decreased oxygen circulation.

Arguments Are More Likely

Sleep deprivation impacts our ability to regulate our emotion, judgment and ability to concentrate. Mood swings are also a common result of a sleep deficit. This is because frequent night waking increases the level of one of the body’s fight-or-flight stress hormone — cortisol — leading to feelings of stress, frustration and irritation. Empathy is lower and conflict management is harder when we are chronically lacking proper sleep. Research has shown that sleep deficits lead couples to greater feelings of selfishness and resentment and less feelings of appreciation or gratitude.

Make an Appointment at TMJ & Airway Associates

The good news is that with treatment, snoring due to sleep apnea and the subsequent issues can be resolved, decreasing these marital stressors. Effective treatments are available. Our doctors specialize in treating sleep apnea. To learn more, call TMJ & Airway Associates at (855) 949-7667 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ivan Stein or Dr. Allan Stein. We are here to help!

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Snoring and Partners

Chronic snoring that wakes a partner and keeps them up is detrimental to that person’s health. Long-term sleep deprivation raises the risk of developing various diseases, from dementia to heart disease to cancer. Insufficient sleep increases the odds of obesity, a condition accompanied by other health challenges. Lack of sleep also takes a toll on a couple’s emotional health.

Think of it as a quality-of-life issue.

Change Position

If the snoring is worst when the person sleeps on their back — and that is often the case — gently prod them to change position. Rolling onto the stomach can mean the end of snoring.

Try bringing a tennis ball or similar item without hard edges to bed. When the person is fast asleep and snoring, place the ball beneath their back. This should make them shift to another position, and the snoring may cease.

Lifestyle Changes

Certain sleep and lifestyle changes can help the affected partner. The non-snorer may benefit from the use of earplugs to drown out the noise. Look for soft earplugs designed specifically to wear while sleeping.

Install a white noise machine in the bedroom. While the machine does not block out snoring per se, it does mask the sound considerably.

For some couples, sleeping separately may prove the ultimate solution. That’s a step to take only when nothing else appears to work. Still, for some couples stressed by one party’s snoring, separate bedrooms can save the relationship.

Identifying the Cause

When constant snoring is a problem, identifying the cause is crucial. Many sleep apnea sufferers visit a doctor on their partner’s recommendation. A medical evaluation and a sleep study may reveal sleep apnea. Patients with sleep apnea stop and start breathing repeatedly while sleeping. Snoring is a common sign of obstructive sleep apnea, resulting from the intermittent closing of throat muscles causing airway blockage.

Once a definite diagnosis is in place, proper treatment can start. That may include the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine or an oral appliance to keep the patient’s airway clear during sleep. In some instances, surgery is necessary.

Call or Email Us Today

For more information about snoring, sleep apnea and ways to help a partner who snores excessively, please contact the team at TMJ & Airway Associates today.

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