Do you or someone you know have a hard time getting the appropriate amount of rest to function the next day? Whether it is snoring or sleep apnea that has you longing for a restful night’s sleep, there is a helpful solution. At 333 Dental Care, our dentists aim to help patients who have experienced problems with CPAP machines in the past and are looking for an alternative. With oral appliance therapy, you can get a better night of sleep while wearing a small, portable device that is comfortable and easy to use. To find out more about these unique solutions and how to get one yourself, contact our office.
Oral Appliance Therapy – Mangum, OK
An Alternative Solution to Getting Better Sleep
How Does Oral Appliance Therapy Work?
As soon as you are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), your dentist will determine the best method of treatment for you. Typically, you can expect Dr. Lively to recommend oral appliance therapy. This small device is worn in the mouth while you sleep. Much like a mouthguard, it is customized to your specific dental needs and fits snugly over your teeth.
Adjusting your jaw so that it shifts slightly forward, this will keep your airway open and prevent any ceased breathing throughout the night.
What Are the Advantages/Benefits?
In comparison to a CPAP machine, oral appliance devices are leaps and bounds better. This is because:
- They’re more comfortable – Once Dr. Lively recommends an oral appliance for your sleep apnea treatment, they will take the appropriate steps to make sure it is customized to your specific needs. This will allow for a more comfortable fit while you sleep.
- They are easy to use – Forget having to plug in anything! With oral appliances, all you have to do is slip it into your mouth before you go to bed. There are no tubes or machines involved.
- You don’t have to worry about noise – If you know what kind of noise a CPAP machine can make, you know it’s loud and bothersome. Oral appliances make no noise at all, meaning you get full, uninterrupted sleep.
- They’re compact – Need to travel for work? Going on vacation with the family? Simply pack your oral appliance in your carry on and you’re good to go! They’re small, compact, and portable, so traveling is a breeze.
Am I a Good Candidate for Oral Appliance Therapy?
If you’ve been having difficulty snoring, or if you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you can most certainly benefit from oral appliance therapy. However, there are other situations that oral appliances can prove beneficial:
- If you are CPAP intolerant
- If you’ve had sleep apnea surgery but continue to experience symptoms
- If you have sleep apnea and bruxism (teeth grinding)
- If you snore every night
- If you’re using a CPAP but are unhappy with the results
- If you’ve been diagnosed with mild to moderate OSA
What is the Process for Getting a Custom-Made Oral Appliance?
If you think you might have sleep apnea or you snore and it is disrupting your sleep, contact Dr. Lively for a consultation. Once you are in our office, they will evaluate your airway and determine if oral appliance therapy is the right treatment for you. If they believes you have sleep apnea, they will suggest a sleep study or other additional testing, but if not, they will take an impression of your mouth and work to create a customized device that will be available for you to begin using in a week.
If you’re wondering about the additional testing you may need to have before receiving an oral appliance, this is necessary if it’s a possibility you might have sleep apnea. A sleep study can be conducted by a sleep doctor, and once the results are analyzed, Dr. Lively can begin to treat you should it reveal that you do have sleep apnea.