We all value a good night’s sleep, but not everyone experiences restful nights. Many Americans struggle with a condition called sleep apnea. Are you one of them? If you wake up feeling like you haven’t slept at all, or if your loved ones complain about your loud, constant snoring, you may have sleep apnea, which can disrupt a good night’s rest. Most patients hear that the main solution is a CPAP machine, but some folks find it too uncomfortable to manage. A helpful alternative is available right at our practice: oral appliances for sleep apnea treatment!
At the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, we provide oral appliances designed to help open the airways to address sleep apnea without a CPAP.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing is interrupted during sleep. In particular, obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway is blocked by the soft tissue at the back of the throat that closes during sleep. This condition is the most common kind of sleep apnea. It occurs in about 25% of men and nearly 10% of women and can affect people of all ages. However, it is more common in people over 40 and those who are overweight.
When your throat muscles relax too much, they can narrow or block your airway. These episodes can lower oxygen levels in your blood and may be accompanied by a sensation of gasping for air or choking. This can occur dozens, even hundreds of times every night! You might not even realize how often it’s happening, but these constant interruptions can leave you feeling exhausted the next day.
Common symptoms may include:
- Snoring
- Waking up suddenly with a gasping or choking sensation
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue during the day
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
- Irritability throughout the day
- Waking up with headaches
If you or a loved one are struggling with sleep apnea, helpful treatment might be right at the dentist’s office! Reach out to The Center for Cosmetic Dentistry for a free sleep apnea consultation.
Sleep Apnea Treatment at the Dentist’s Office: Oral Appliances
Several options are available for sleep apnea treatment, including different machines and mouthpieces. For obstructive sleep apnea, treatment aims to keep your airway open and improve sleep quality by reducing interruptions.
Many people with moderate to severe sleep apnea try a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This machine includes a mask that continuously delivers pressurized air to your nose or mouth (or both). The mask effectively keeps your airways open, but many find it uncomfortable to wear. People who have claustrophobia often can’t tolerate a CPAP machine and require an alternative. Fortunately, we offer two effective options at the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry!
A dental approach to sleep apnea treatment uses custom-fit mouthpieces to keep the airway open during sleep. One oral appliance is a mandibular advancement device (MAD). This device looks like a mouthguard and gently pulls your lower jaw forward to keep your airway open. Another option we offer is a tongue-retaining device that holds the tongue in place to prevent obstruction. Both treatments may offer more comfortable alternatives to CPAP.
At the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, we’re committed to helping you find the best solution tailored to your unique needs. Our team can evaluate your oral appliance options and coordinate with a sleep physician to develop a treatment plan. Follow-up care helps assess how well the appliance is working. By working closely with you, we can create a plan that delivers results you can trust and a smile you’ll love. If you’re ready to become one of our happy, well-rested patients, see us for a free consultation.
Ready for a Restful Night? Schedule a Free Consultation
Sleep apnea can wreak havoc on your night. At the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, we improve our patients’ lives through comprehensive dental care, including comfortable interventions. Our team is dedicated to helping you overcome your sleep challenges by providing oral appliances. If you think you may benefit from an oral sleep device, we’re happy to introduce you to an alternative to CPAP!
We invite you to contact us to schedule a free consultation. Let’s sit down together and explore how we can help you rediscover the joy of restful sleep!
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