There are many people who cannot use a CPAP machine for a variety of reasons. Are you one of those people? If you are, then you might want to visit your dentist for more information on oral appliance therapy. While many people do not even realize that oral appliance therapy is a treatment option, seeking treatment from your dentist is important. Let’s take a look at why you should visit your dentist for oral appliance therapy.

CPAP Just Doesn’t Work

This is probably the main reason why you should visit your dentist. While the CPAP machine is beneficial for a variety of reasons, it still might not be the best solution for everyone. Most people feel that compared to CPAP, an oral appliance is very comfortable and easy to use. There are even social reasons that make oral appliances very appealing. However, before treatment can begin, it is important to understand who is a candidate for oral appliance therapy and who is not.

Want Increased Mobility

Unlike the CPAP, oral appliance therapy is extremely convenient. Who wants to try to take their CPAP machine with them on the road? No one—and we understand that. Oral appliances come in handy when it comes to the need for mobility. Overall, these devices tend to be more economical and are generally a lot easier to tolerate and use. Still, there is no one-size-fits-all scenario and oral appliances work well by themselves in combination with other therapies.

Visit Immediately

As soon as you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, you should find out if you are a good candidate for an oral appliance. The best odds of success are for those who have mild to moderate sleep apnea—your sleep doctor can help you with understanding what type of sleep apnea you have. When you are referred to a sleep study, it is important to be educated about all of the available options. There is very little downside to a properly fitted and adjusted oral appliance.

You aren’t going through surgery or requiring medications, you are simply getting educated and monitored—oral appliance therapy is very safe and the vast majority of patients find that it benefits them. This is also why we see a very high compliance rate. All too often many patients have said that they wish someone had told them about it sooner.

Contact Craniofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Center of Georgia for more information on oral appliance therapy and to find out why you should consider this treatment option for your sleep apnea.