Oral Appliance Therapy For Sleep Apnea
Remember it s not just snoring and disrupted shuteye that are associated with sleep.
Oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea. Oral appliances or dental devices in use by sleep medicine dentists for years are now fda approved as a first line treatment for mild moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Oral appliances continue to improve as technology and materials advance. Oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea osa. Oral appliance therapy overview.
The device fits much like a sports mouth guard or orthodontic retainer. In the past physicians would only recommend these apnea mouthpieces as an alternative or secondary treatment for patients who could not tolerate cpap therapy and they are. Oral appliances are most effective in the treatment of mild to moderate sleep apnea although they do provide a treatment alternative for patients with severe osa who cannot or will not tolerate positive airway pressure therapy. It involves wearing a removable oral appliance in your mouth as you sleep.
Then he or she will prescribe a device that you can have custom made by a dentist. Here is a guide to help you get started with this life changing treatment. Despite their double retainer like appearance oral appliances are said to be comfortable to use. Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
In central sleep apnea the airway is not blocked but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center. If you have sleep apnea and would like to explore the idea of a mouthpiece talk to your doctor first. An oral appliance can be an attractive and useful treatment for snoring and sleep apnea. Central apnea is related to the function of the central nervous system and not treated by oral appliance therapy.
Sleep apnea oral appliance. A custom fit oral sleep appliance can improve your sleep restore your alertness and revitalize your health. A somnodent sleep apnea oral appliance is a premium custom fitted dental device developed for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.