Terms & Definitions
When researching snoring relief treatments and "cures" you may come across many of the below terms. This is by no means a comprehensive list of the terms which are often used in relation to snoring, sleep disorders, snoring treatments and sleep apnoea, but it is a reasonable start.

Terms and Definitions

Ablation:
Ablate means ‘to remove’. Ablation is the act of removing.

AHI:
Apnoea-Hypopnea Index. This is a measure of the average number of apnoea and hypopnea ‘events’ that occur per sleep hour. Obstructive sleep apnoea is often defined as an AHI of 10 or more. AHI is the same thing as the RDI (see below).

Anterior:
The front. The opposite of Posterior.

Apnoea:
(spelled apnea in the United States and Canada) means "not breathing".

Bi-PAP:
Bilevel positive airway pressure -- treatment where air is blown through a mask placed over the nose in a way that allows control of air pressure both when you inhale and when you exhale. This helps prevent your airway from collapsing.

Centric Occlusion:
Normal closure of teeth

Centric Relation:
Mandible is back farther than normal bite

Coblation:
A trademarked name for a new approach to removing tissue surgically using low-heat electrosurgical equipment.

CPAP (NCPAP):
(nasal) Continuous Positive Airway Pressure -- treatment involving a device that inflates the throat with air, keeping your airways open. This is the primary treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.

Dental Device:
In the context of SDB, this is a catch-all phrase which describes a wide range of devices and appliances which are placed inside the mouth

Deviated Nasal Septum:
The nasal septum is the structure which divides your nasal cavity into two halves. It is the wall between your nostrils. Sometimes the septum is deformed, so that the air passage is obstructed or totally blocked in one or both nostrils.

Freeway space:
Opening between upper and lower front teeth

Glossial:
Pertaining to the tongue

Hypopnea:
A partial cessation of breathing, whereas an apnoea is a complete cessation. The clinical definition of a hypopnea is a 50% to 90% cessation of breathing, and an apnoea is a 91% to 100% cessation of breathing.

Labial:
Pertaining to the lips

MAA:
Mandibular Advancement Appliance. This is a term used to describe a range of dental devices which move the lower jaw forward. The term is more or less interchangeable with MRD, below.

Maxilla:
The upper jaw. Maxillary or Maxillo are derivatives of this word.

Mandible:
The lower jaw. ‘Mandibular’ is a derivative of this word.

Midline:
Center of the front upper teeth

MMA:
Maxillo-Mandibular Advancement -- a surgical procedure whereby the upper and lower jaws are surgically moved forward.

MRD:
Mandibular Repositioning Device. This is another term used to descrive a wide range of dental devices which move the lower jaw forward. The term is more or less interchangeable with MAA, above.

OSA (OSAS):
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Syndrome). The airway if fully obstructed, leading to interrupted breathing. The person actually stops breathing for up to two minutes at a time.

Palate:
The roof of your mouth.

Polysomnogram:
Procedure to monitor patient's sleeping patterns, typically in a sleep studies centre or laboratory. Brain waves, oxygen levels, respiratory effort, snoring, heart rate, heart rhythm and muscular activity are monitored and recorded.

Radio-Frequency Tissue Reduction (RFTR):
A relatively new approach to shrinking tissue (such as excess throat tissue or the uvula) using radiofrequency signals to heat a thin needle inserted in the tissue. See Somnoplasty for further details.

Posterior:
The back. The opposite of Anterior.

Protrusive:
In the context of SDB, protrusive mean moving the mandible forward (or a mandible which juts forward).

RDI:
Respiratory Disturbance Index. This is a clinical measurement indicating the severity of a patient's sleep disorder. Same as AHI (see above).

Rhinitis:
An inflammation of the nasal and sinus passages. In other words, a blocked nose, which forces you to breathe through your mouth.

Snoreplasty:
Also known as injection snoreplasty, this procedure involves the injection of a scarring agent into the soft tissue of the soft palate and uvula. The resulting scar stiffen the soft tissue and thus reduces the noise of snoring.

Somnoplasty:
A relatively new approach to removing tissue (such as excess uvula, soft palate or throat tissue) using radiofrequency signals to heat a thin needle inserted in the tissue.

StopSnor Antisnoring Ring:
A pure sterling silver ring worn on the little finger of the left hand while sleeping, believed to work by acupressure. Although considered 'alternative medicine' it is claimed by many to alleviate snoring.

Super Eruption:
Teeth grow longer than they are intended. This normally occurs as a result of the loss or removal of the opposing tooth.

TMJ(D):
TemporoMandibular Joint (Dysfunction). The TMJ is the joint that connects your jaw bones. TMJD is a result of a serious irritation or stress placed on this joint.

UARS:
Upper Airway Restriction Syndrome. This condition is worse than light and infrequent snoring but less serious than sleep apnoea. It implies that your airway is restricted during sleeping but not actually blocked, as would happen with moderate or severe apnoea.

Uvula:
The droopy piece of tissue which hangs from the rear of the soft palate.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP):
The surgical removal, by laser or scalpel, of the excess tissue at the back of the throat, including the uvula.