Sleep Apnea
Why Using an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea can be life changing?
The most common and number one way to treat sleep apnea is with CPAP Therapy. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, and is a machine that keeps the airway open during the night by blowing air through a mask while you sleep. The down side is that not every person can tolerate it. This results in a many users who cannot or will not use their CPAP Machines.
One of the biggest problems with Sleep Apnea is NON-COMPLIANCE of Treatment. Even though patients understand the risks of not getting treated, they are unwilling to use the CPAP machine. Some people feel claustrophobic while using the CPAP machine, while others cannot stand the whooshing sound all night. Others move around during the night and get tangled with the hose. Many CPAP users may experience negative side effects such as bloating, nasal congestion or irritation, tiredness or “sleep debt,” and headaches. In addition, many people find their mouth becomes too dry.
If you have found that CPAP is not the best option for treating your sleep apnea, there is another solution.
ORAL APPLIANCES
Oral appliances that treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are small devices that are worn in the mouth, similar to orthodontic retainers or sports mouth guards. These appliances help prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat, keeping the airway open during sleep and promoting adequate air intake. Currently there are approximately 70 different oral appliances available. Oral Appliance may also be use in combination with other therapies.
There are two main categories referred to when talking about oral appliance therapies:
Tongue Retaining Appliances: Treat sleep apnea by preventing the tongue from collapsing during sleep, thereby preventing the throat from being obstructed.
Mandibular Repositioning Appliances: Treat sleep apnea by repositioning the placement of the jaw during sleep, stimulating the soft tissue of the mouth and making it rigid as to prevent air blockage.
Dentists are experts in understanding the inner workings of the mouth, tongue and jaw, and how these complicated systems interact. In the Forefront of sleep apnea treatments are a wide range of dental devices designed to keep the airway open during sleep.
ADVANTAGES OF ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY
Oral Appliances are comfortable and ease to wear Oral Appliances are small and convenient, easy to carry when traveling Treatment with Oral Appliance is reversible and non-invasive If you want a better solution to your Sleep Apnea, please call us for more information about our treatment options.