If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, you must have definitely got the recommendation of using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. Well, it definitely works very well, but at time patients are not comfortable with this treatment. So, what should you do if you cannot tolerate CPAP? The answer is – Dental Appliance.
What is a sleep apnea dental appliance?
A sleep apnea dental appliance is a mouth-guard type of device which is worn while sleeping. It is usually customized by well-known clinics like Western Slope Sleep Center as per the mouth and teeth of the patient, and thus it fits comfortably in the mouth. Two common types of sleep apnea dental appliances are Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) and Tongue Retaining Device.
How does it work?
A dental appliance works by keeping the airway open. It basically ensures that the normal airflow is not blocked, and hence the person using it breathes normally. The device does this in 3 ways:
- It brings the lower jaw a little forward and thus keeps the airway open.
- It holds the tongue in place, and prevents it from falling backward and thereby keeps the airway open.
- It does both the actions simultaneously.
Benefits of using dental appliance for sleep apnea
- It is a completely non-invasive treatment as no surgery or other invasive procedure is involved.
- Individuals who are unable to use CPAP machine can treat themselves with the help of dental appliance. Besides, compared to using a CPAP machine, dental appliance is pretty comfortable.
- It shows positive results in reducing symptoms of snoring and sleep apnea.
- It is easily portable, and hardly noticeable. Your bed partner will not even know that you are using one, unless you open your mouth.
- It is a low maintenance appliance.
- Unlike a CPAP machine, dental appliance doesn’t make any noise.
In addition to the above-mentioned benefits, it is good to know that using a dental appliance with PAP therapy can also give better results. The thing is, some individuals need high pressure to get any positive result.
Now, if they are wearing a dental appliance, that is keeping their airway open, they won’t need high pressure. This means, even with the help of low pressure, they can experience a huge difference.
To summarize, it can be said that using dental appliance to treat sleep apnea has worked for many patients. If you are one of those who cannot used CPAP, an oral appliance can help you a lot.
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