If someone has an earsplitting snore and is always tired even after a full night’s sleep, they might be suffering from sleep apnea. Understanding sleep apnea and oral appliances can help patients live a comfortable and healthy life.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition where a person’s breathing stops several times during sleep.
There are different types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive: This is the most common form of sleep apnea that occurs when the muscles in your throat relax.
- Central: This happens when the brain does not send the correct signals to the muscles that control breathing.
- Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome: This is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
It is difficult to determine the type of sleep apnea a patient has since their signs and symptoms often overlap, which include the following:
- Excessive snoring
- Daytime fatigue
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Irritability
- Hypersomnia
- Insomnia
- Headache
- Dry mouth
Consult a sleep dentist if sleep apnea is suspected.
It will compromise your immune system and lead to serious complications like:
- High blood pressure
- Heart problems
- Metabolic syndrome
- Liver problems
- Type II diabetes
- Sleep deprivation
What Are the Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea?
The first treatment option offered is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). Continuous air pressure is emitted by a machine connected to a mask that patients will have to wear at night. It is noisy and uncomfortable, so patients tend to use it for short periods or completely avoid it. This renders the treatment ineffective as patients will still experience snoring and daytime fatigue.
Fortunately there are other non-surgical treatments available, like oral appliances for sleep apnea.
Some examples are:
- Chin strips
- Vestibular shields
- Tongue retaining devices
- Mandibular advancement devices or oral appliance
How Does Oral Appliance Therapy Work?
Your dentist may recommend any of the sleep apnea oral appliances previously mentioned. These custom-fitted appliances prevent the tongue from rolling back and obstructing your airway. They move the jaw forward, increasing the size of the upper airway and decreasing air resistance, which causes sleep apnea and snoring.
What Are the Benefits of Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances?
1. Ease of Use
Compared to the CPAP machine, oral appliances are portable, easy to maintain, and lightweight. They easily fit around the mouth, and most patients get used to them within a few weeks. All you have to do is wear them before you go to bed, and remove them in the morning. Some devices can be used during the day.
2. Non-Invasive
The fitting and use of oral appliances do not require surgery. They are painless and always ready to use.
3. Effective
They significantly improve the symptoms of sleep apnea, like low oxygen saturation and daytime sleepiness.
4. Better Than CPAP
CPAP can restrict a person’s movement since the machine needs to be plugged into an outlet. They may even feel claustrophobic because of the mask and tubes.
What Are the Risks of Oral Appliance Therapy?
Like any other treatment option, oral appliances also have their risks.
However, with regular visits to the dentist, the following are easily managed:
- Mouth dryness
- Excessive drooling
- Jaw, teeth, and temporomandibular joint pain
- Loose teeth
- Bite changes
- Frequent dental work
Where To Buy an Oral Appliance?
Now that we’ve covered pretty much everything, you may be thinking, “Where can I buy an oral appliance for sleep apnea?” Over-the-counter oral appliances are available, which don’t require a prescription. However, they are cheap, ineffective, and make your condition worse.
Acquiring one from a licensed sleep dentist is the best way to go. A sleep study is performed to determine the type of sleep apnea you have and your readiness for fitting. Then, the dentist makes an impression of your teeth by having you bite down on a mold. This is sent to the lab to have the appliance made.
Once the custom oral appliance is ready, your dentist will notify you. They will also be responsible for fitting and adjusting the appliance over several weeks and explaining its proper usage and maintenance.
Advanced Dental Group Can Help
We’re your allies when it comes to a better quality of life.
We are connected to licensed dentists who can help with sleep apnea oral appliances. Call us today, and we’ll connect you right away!
