Sleep Apnea and Oral Appliances

Can You Use Dental Appliances to Treat Your Sleep Apnea? Find Out Now!

Do you wonder why you feel tired even though you have slept at least 8 to 9 hours last night? Are there any chances that you might suffer from sleep apnea? If you are reading our article, chances are that, yes, you suffer from this potentially dangerous and life-threatening sleep disorder. Luckily for you, researchers all around the world are working towards finding an effective treatment plan. Today, we will talk about their latest findings, the use of dental appliances in the treatment of sleep apnea.

What do you need to know about sleep apnea?

Described as a potentially serious sleep disorder, sleep apnea is the term used to describe a condition in which breathing continuously stops and starts throughout the night. There are three types of sleep apnea, of which obstructive sleep apnea is the most common one. Symptoms include loud snoring, morning headache, insomnia, fatigue, and irritability. Risk factors include old age, use of alcohol, obesity, smoking and family history as the most common ones. Sleep apnea should be treated as soon as possible due to the increased risks that this disorder comes with, such as the increased risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes and even cancer.

The use of dental appliances for sleep apnea

Thanks to extended research, nowadays we have continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, an effective and commonly used treatment for patients with sleep apnea, especially obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP maintains the air pressure that is breathed continuously during sleep, making sure that the airway passage is open and breathing is constant during sleep. However, not all patients are compatible with this treatment plan, which created the need to find another effective option. That brings us to the use of dental appliances. Dental appliances, also known as oral appliances, may consist of any material, although plastic and metal are most commonly used, in the form of a retainer which fits into the oral cavity, between the teeth, making sure the tongue is held in place and preventing it from obstructing the airway. Created individually for each patient, dental appliances create the opportunity to have a good night's sleep without sleep apnea symptoms. They come in a form similar to the mouthpieces that football players use, fitting one piece on the lower and one piece on the upper jaw, making sure the airway is open and there is continuous breathing while sleeping. Both your chin and jaw are kept forward, preventing your tongue from blocking the airway. Dental appliances have been preferred by many patients over the use of CPAP devices. Usually, it is patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea symptoms, especially obstructive sleep apnea, who find the use of oral appliances more effective compared with the use of CPAP devices. The use of dental appliances so far has resulted in great effects, treating the symptoms of moderate to more severe obstructive sleep apnea. Although more research is required on this topic, what we have seen so far is convincing and enough to cause optimism among patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. If you do decide on this approach, make sure that you consult your doctor and dentist so that he or she can determine if you are the right candidate. Although this is a safe and non-invasive treatment plan, not every patient can make use of it, which is why it is vital to talk to your doctor first.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, you might want to talk with your doctor about the use of dental appliances, which have been shown to work as an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. This treatment plan has already helped thousands of patients to manage their sleep apnea symptoms and reduce the risks that this common sleep disorder brings. Created individually, these devices are designed to help you get a good night's sleep.