Co-Authored by Dr. Mayoor Patel
Authored by Dr. Mayoor Patel
Many of us think of snoring as something to not be overly concerned about—if you think this, change your way of thinking now. Unfortunately, frequent, loud snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea, which is a common and potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts as you sleep. It is important to distinguish between snoring and sleep apnea so that you can get the best treatment available without waiting any longer.
As you may already know, the American Sleep Disorder Association endorsed oral appliance therapy as the third currently acceptable treatment modality for snoring and sleep apnea. The largest number of patients who currently suffer from sleep apnea are in the mild to moderate categories and should be treated with oral appliances. Despite the fact that treatment with the CPAP machine is extremely successful, there are a number of patients who cannot or choose not to wear the face mask with the attached air compressor.
For these patients, oral appliances provided by a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine are proving to be an excellent treatment option. There are two types of oral appliance currently available for the treatment of sleep apnea:
Oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A custom-fit oral sleep appliance can improve your sleep, restore your alertness and revitalize your health. Here is a guide to help you get started with this life-changing treatment.
Worn only during sleep, an oral appliance fits like a sports mouth guard or an orthodontic retainer. It supports the jaw in a forward position to help maintain an open upper airway. Research shows that oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
Oral appliance therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment that fits easily into your lifestyle. Patients like oral appliance therapy because it is:
To find out more about oral appliance therapy and how your dentist can help in treatment of snoring and sleep apnea, contact Craniofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Center of Georgia today! You can rest easy knowing there is relief from your condition.