Sleep Apnea Treatment with an Oral Appliance

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the body’s airway is blocked during sleep, causing harmful interruptions to regular breathing. Though there are many different sleep apnea treatments available, one of the most effective might be a device that compensates for features that can narrow the airway.

An oral appliance, sometimes called an orthotic, resembles a mouth guard you might wear while playing sports. The device will be customized to fit your bite, and it can serve multiple purposes, from properly aligning your teeth and jaw for optimal appearance and function to protecting your teeth from habitual grinding.

When used to treat sleep apnea, your orthotic will stabilize the tongue, throat, and soft tissue to alleviate snoring and facilitate easier breathing. Keeping the airway open and breathing consistent can prevent sleep apnea from interrupting your rest and reduce your risk for serious health issues like diabetes, hypertension, and others frequently tied to the disorder.

For some patients, an oral appliance might have advantages over other sleep apnea treatments:

·         Addressing the root cause of airway obstruction better than medication

·         More user-friendly and more comfortable than the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device often prescribed to sleep apnea patients

·         Non-invasive and less intensive than surgical procedures to alter or remove soft tissue that could be blocking the airway

If a loved one or roommate complains that you’re snoring, or you find yourself waking up during the middle of the night gasping for breath, you might be experiencing sleep apnea. To begin exploring treatment options, please contact an established local sleep physician or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-Mask) today.