Your sleep medicine dentist can recommend oral appliance therapy for your obstructive sleep apnea or OSA. Snoring may indicate this sleep disorder. Seeing a board-certified sleep medicine dentist can help relieve you and your loved ones of this disorder. If you want to know more about oral appliance therapy from your sleep medicine dentist, here are some ideas.
This is an effective option for treating OSA and snoring. Here, an oral appliance fits over the teeth. It is like a retainer a person wears while sleeping. This custom-fit device can renew a person’s health and improve sleep quality.
The sleep doctor will diagnose the patient using a home sleep apnea test or a sleep study. Then the doctor will ask if the patient agrees to this therapy. The doctor will then write a prescription if the patient agrees. A sleep medicine dentist will assist in the fabrication of the oral appliance. The dentist will also ensure its effectiveness and comfort during the therapy.
The sleep medicine dentist will recommend a specific type of oral appliance for the patient. The oral appliance itself is customizable. This will ensure the right fit in the patient’s mouth. Tailor-fit oral appliances will less likely cause any obstruction.
This oral device is a removable one. It prevents airway collapse. This is possible by either placing the jaw forward or holding the tongue. Dentists do not recommend over-the-counter, one-size-fits-all oral appliances for OSA or snoring. These devices do not fit well in the mouth and may even worsen the condition. The sleep medicine dentist will work with the sleep center team in treating the patient’s sleep apnea.
An individual with apnea can enjoy the many benefits of oral appliance therapy. The sleep medicine dentist can use these devices to improve the patient’s sleep. This therapy can help the patient breathe better. The individual’s general health may improve after consistent treatment. Here are some of the known benefits of oral appliance therapy:
An oral appliance can fit into an overnight bag. The individual can use this device while sleeping. The device would fit like a mouthguard in the mouth. The patient does not need to feel awkward about the therapy at all.
The device will not add up to the electric bill. It will not need any power source. The patient will place it in the mouth and sleep.
This therapy can target other disorders like TMJ issues, clenching, and teeth grinding. The sleep medicine doctor can treat all of these issues with apnea at the same time.
It is easy to bring the oral appliance because it is compact. There is no excuse to leave it at home. Bringing it will not need a large space or electricity.
Treating OSA can be different for one patient because of the type of oral appliance. The sleep medicine dentist will determine which device will suit the particular case. A tongue-retaining device can help a patient with sleep apnea. It looks like a pacifier with a hole in its center. The hole is where the tongue will sit.
This oral appliance will hold the tongue forward. Doing so prevents blockage in the airway. The patient will need to wear this at night. That way, the tongue will not fall back into the air passage. This device can stop snoring and allow more airflow during sleeping.
A mandibular advancement device or MAD looks more like a sports mouthguard or a nightguard. It snaps over the lower and upper dental arches. These oral appliances often have metal pieces capable of positioning the lower jaw forward while the patient sleeps. Some variations of MAD provide a more forward placement of the jaw.
Many patients prefer wearing these oral appliances because they are portable, easy to use, and of low maintenance. These tools help a sleep medicine dentist target the problem in each patient. The therapy then gives the patient better sleep quality, more alertness, and better emotional health. It also lowers the patient’s risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Snoring and sleep apnea are disruptive to you and to others near you when you sleep. Removing the breathing obstruction while sleeping needs a specific type of oral device. Your sleep medicine dentist will ensure the right fit for your custom oral appliance. This will target the problem and help you regain your health.
Are you considering visiting a sleep medicine dentist in the Bellevue area? Get more information at https://artisandentalbellevue.com.
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