The Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy offers a comfortable and convenient alternative to traditional CPAP treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
What Exactly is Snoring?
Snoring is a sound that occurs during sleep when soft tissue in the upper airway vibrates as you breathe. Obesity, nasal obstruction, alcohol, and smoking all increase the risk of snoring.
The sound of snoring tends to be most disturbing to a bed partner or roommate, but loud snoring can wake the person who snores, too. Loud and frequent snoring is a common sign of obstructive sleep apnea.
Anti-Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Devices
Approximately 25 million adults in the U.S. have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which can cause them to stop breathing hundreds of times a night for anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute.
OSA is a chronic condition that occurs when your muscles relax during sleep, allowing soft tissue to collapse and block the airway. As a result, repeated breathing pauses occur, which often reduce your oxygen levels. These breathing pauses are followed by brief awakenings that disturb your sleep.
Some common signs you are losing shut-eye due to OSA include snoring, gasping or choking sounds during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue, morning headaches, memory problems, irritability, and insomnia.
Having excess body weight, a narrow airway, or misaligned jaw all increase the risk of OSA. Like snoring, OSA is more common in men, but it can occur in women too, especially during and after menopause.
The Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea
Oral appliance therapy offers a comfortable and convenient alternative to traditional CPAP treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Custom-made oral appliances, similar to mouth guards, are designed to support your jaw in a forward position, keeping your airway open during sleep. This non-invasive treatment option can significantly improve your quality of life and help you achieve restful, uninterrupted sleep.
At Apex Dental, Dr. Chris and his team are dedicated to providing the most advanced and effective oral appliance therapy for our patients. We work closely with your sleep physician to ensure that your custom-fitted appliance meets your specific needs and preferences.
Key advantages of oral appliance therapy include:
- Comfort: Oral appliances are designed to fit comfortably in your mouth, allowing you to sleep without the discomfort or restrictions of a CPAP mask and tubing.
- Portability: Oral appliances are small, lightweight, and easy to carry, making them ideal for travel or use in any sleeping environment.
- Ease of use: Unlike CPAP machines, oral appliances require no electricity or complicated setup. Simply place the appliance in your mouth before going to sleep and remove it when you wake up.
- Quiet: Oral appliances are silent, allowing you and your bed partner to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep without the noise of a CPAP machine.
- Easy maintenance: Cleaning and caring for your oral appliance is simple, requiring only regular brushing and occasional soaking in a cleaning solution.
In addition to these benefits, oral appliance therapy is covered by most medical insurance plans. Our knowledgeable team at Apex Dental will assist you in navigating the insurance process and ensuring that you receive the maximum coverage for your treatment.