Americans’ sleep—or lack
thereof—has been in the news a lot lately.
Last week, federal
health officials said approximately one-third of Americans get too little
sleep, which puts themselves and others at risk for accidents and health
complications. And an ongoing study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) has examined the widespread ramifications of the potentially
deadly sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep
apnea (OSA).
Accompanying the bad
news about our sleep habits and the risks of sleep apnea, however, has been an
increase in awareness about the hazards of sleep disorders and the number of
options available for treatment.
The field of dental sleep
medicine has grown in recent years to include a wide range of custom-fit
oral appliances designed to treat OSA, the most severe and common form of sleep
apnea. As its name indicates, obstructive sleep apnea is caused by an
obstruction of the airway that causes frequent stoppages in breathing as you
sleep.
The oral devices are
designed to provide stability and proper alignment of the jaw as you sleep,
helping maintain an open airway. There are numerous models of oral appliances, and
each is custom designed to address your specific condition and conform to your
mouth for a comfortable fit.