General Dentistry Question: Is There a Sleep Apnea Treatment Other Than a CPAP Machine?
For millions of Americans who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and struggle using their CPAP machine, your general dentistry office has a solution.
But first, let us review exactly what sleep apnea is and why proper and consistent treatment is crucial to your health.
Obstructive sleep apnea is becoming epidemic in the United States. The American Sleep Apnea Association estimates that more than 22 million Americans suffer from OSA, with as many as 80 percent of the cases being undiagnosed moderate or severe OSA.
What is OSA and how is it treated?
OSA defined
WebMD describes sleep apnea as a condition in which a person experiences interrupted breathing multiple times during the night. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder and if left untreated, can lead to potentially fatal conditions, including cardiac failure, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Treatment for OSA
The most common treatment for OSA is the use of a CPAP machine (a continuous positive air pressure machine). According to the Mayo Clinic, people with moderate to severe sleep apnea are the best candidates for CPAP therapy.
A CPAP machine is used during sleeping. A mask is placed over your mouth and nose, or sometimes, smaller devices known as “pillows” can be inserted into the nostrils. Pressurized air is supplied by the machine through rubber tubing at a pressure slightly higher than normal air. The continuous flow of this pressurized air serves to keep your airway open and to reduce your apnea episodes.
Surgery and other treatments
Some people with OSA have a malformation of their jaw, which requires surgical treatment.
For some people, training themselves to sleep in a different position is enough to reduce their OSA problems.
Many OSA sufferers are also overweight or obese. New studies are being evaluated that link obesity to loss of adequate sleep. Weight loss is another popular treatment suggested to manage OSA.
Oral appliances are emerging as the first line of treatment for many sleep apnea sufferers.
General dentistry and oral appliance therapy
Oral appliance therapy has been approved by the Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Dental Association.
What is oral appliance therapy?
Oral appliance therapy, or OAT, utilizes the placement of a custom-made oral device similar to a sports mouth guard. This placement moves the lower jaw forward incrementally in order to open the airway during sleep.
How can I get OAT?
Talk to your general dentistry office to schedule an evaluation for OAT. Although your dentist can evaluate you for sleep apnea, your primary care physician will be the one who orders a sleep test if you do not already have a diagnosis for OSA. Your general dentist will help you decide if OAT is a good choice for you.
The process
Once you and your general dentist decide to go forward with OAT, they will take impressions of your mouth in order to custom-make your device. Because these devices are adjustable, you and your dentist will work together over a period of weeks to make sure your device is providing the optimal adjustment for your lower jaw. After that, a minimum annual adjustment is necessary to make sure you are gaining the most benefit from your device.
What about those boil-and-shape devices at the drugstore?
While over-the-counter devices look similar to prescription oral appliances, none of them are FDA approved for sleep apnea treatment. They may help in the short term but have long-term risks of displacing the jaw, damaging teeth or even making a greater obstruction to your breathing.
Conclusion
Sleep apnea should not be ignored. It does not go away on its own and if left untreated, becomes worse over time. If you have sleep apnea and just cannot make yourself use your CPAP machine regularly, talk to your general dentistry office today about the possibility of oral appliance therapy. You might just be saving your own life.
Request an appointment here: https://www.palmbeachdentistry.com or call Palm Beach Dentistry at (561) 225-2057 for an appointment in our Delray Beach office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Recent Posts
Curious about what happens during a teeth cleaning at a general dentistry office? Read on to learn more about what to expect during a professional dental cleaning. You may be aware that the dentist cleans your teeth and examines your mouth for signs of oral issues, but you might not know the exact steps involved.…
Invisalign® is an increasingly popular alternative to traditional metal braces. Many are attracted to its benefits, such as the ability to align their teeth discreetly, comfortable wear, quick treatment times, and the ability to remove the appliance. However, before you settle on this treatment, we need to ensure you are approved for this type of…
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, can be incredibly concerning and lead to other, more severe oral health issues if left untreated for an extended amount of time. Consequently, it is important to fully understand the various signs and symptoms of periodontal disease in order to be able to spot periodontal disease as soon as it…
Research shows that Invisalign® is the most effective clear aligner brand on the market. Most patients choose these aligners over traditional braces. This dental straightening system can provide a comfortable and fast treatment. Knowing what the procedure is about can help prepare you for your upcoming Invisalign appointment.This clear aligner system uses flexible, thermoplastic material.…