Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea

SLEEP APNEA

ORAL APPLIANCE FOR SLEEP APNEA


A SIGNIFICANT SLEEP PROBLEM CALLED SLEEP APNEA DEVELOPS WHEN A PERSON'S BREATHING IS DISRUPTED WHILE THEY ARE ASLEEP. MANY TIMES WHILE SLEEPING, AND EVEN HUNDREDS OF TIMES DURING THE NIGHT, PEOPLE WITH UNTREATED SLEEP APNEA CEASE BREATHING.

Obstructive, central, and mixed sleep apnea are the three forms. Of the three, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most prevalent. When the upper airway is partially or fully obstructed while you sleep, you get obstructive sleep apnea. The diaphragm and chest muscles labor harder to open the airway during an apnea episode as the pressure rises. Breathing frequently starts up again with a loud gasp or jolt of the body. These episodes can disrupt restful sleep, lower the amount of oxygen reaching essential organs, and lead to issues with heart rhythm.

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ORAL APPLIANCE FOR SLEEP APNEA



A significant sleep problem called sleep apnea develops when a person's breathing is disrupted while they are asleep. Many times while sleeping, and even hundreds of times during the night, people with untreated sleep apnea cease breathing.

Obstructive, central, and mixed sleep apnea are the three forms. Of the three, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most prevalent. When the upper airway is partially or fully obstructed while you sleep, you get obstructive sleep apnea. The diaphragm and chest muscles labor harder to open the airway during an apnea episode as the pressure rises. Breathing frequently starts up again with a loud gasp or jolt of the body. These episodes can disrupt restful sleep, lower the amount of oxygen reaching essential organs, and lead to issues with heart rhythm.

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Obstructive sleep apnea:

Who is at risk?


About 25% of men and over 10% of women have obstructive sleep apnea. Babies and children are not exempt from the effects of obstructive sleep apnea, which is more common in older adults and obese people. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea frequently share particular physical characteristics and clinical characteristics. A nasal blockage, a low-hanging soft palate, swollen tonsils, or a tiny jaw with an overbite are examples of structural abnormalities that reduce the diameter of the upper airway. Other factors include excessive weight, a large neck, and abnormalities of the jaw.


Why does obstructive sleep apnea occur?


The soft tissue in the back of the throat typically collapses during sleep, which results in obstructed airflow and obstructive sleep apnea. Patients with disorders of the central nervous system, such as stroke victims or people with neuromuscular diseases, are more likely to experience central sleep apnea. Patients with heart failure and other types of cardiac and pulmonary disorders are also susceptible to it frequently.

What obstructive sleep apnea signs and symptoms are there?


Frequently, the bed companion notices the initial indications of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) rather than the patient. Many of those afflicted do not have sleep problems. The most typical signs of OSA include:


  • Snoring
  • Daytime drowsiness or exhaustion
  • Sleep disturbances Sudden awakenings with a feeling of gasping or choking
  • Upon awakening, a dry mouth or a sore throat
  • Inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, or impatience 
  • Sleepless nights
  • Headaches
obstructive sleep apnea

What are the effects of OSA (obstructive sleep apnea)?


Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that, if ignored, can lead to a number of health issues, such as hypertension, stroke, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the heart's muscular tissue), congestive heart failure, diabetes, and heart attacks. In addition, untreated sleep apnea may contribute to work-related impairment, accidents at work, car accidents, and academic underachievement in kids and teens, and work-related accidents.


What happens if I have been diagnosed with OSA?


Options for treatment will be presented to you if your doctor determines that you have OSA. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is typically the gold standard for treating OSA. CPAP could not be effective for you for a variety of reasons. Oral appliance therapy, which resembles the mouth guards worn by athletes, is an additional choice.


Dental appliance therapy


Only dentists with training in dental sleep medicine can administer oral appliance therapy and recommend the oral device for sleep apnea.

Finding the best anti-snoring gadget for your needs might be a difficult endeavor because there are so many of them on the market nowadays. Meanwhile, most of these peculiar gadgets have either not been demonstrated to operate or merely serve to keep you up all night. The good news is that there are many tried-and-true methods that can help you reduce and even get rid of snoring. It takes time, lifestyle adjustments, and the desire to try out various remedies because not every therapy will be effective for everyone.


How are snoring and sleep apnea treated with an oral sleep appliance?


Oral-appliance-for-treating-OSA

Sleep apnea mouth guards primarily function by keeping the tissues at the base of the tongue and the back of the neck from collapsing into the airflow path. These devices open up the rear of the throat's airway by bringing the lower jaw and tongue forward together.


What advantages does oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea provide for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?

Treatment using oral appliances


  • Can alleviate OSA symptoms such as snoring, daytime tiredness, moodiness, and attention problems.
  • Gives those who cannot tolerate CPAP an alternative.
  • Is simpler to transport when traveling
  • Without requiring electricity
  • Is quiet


You can book a consultation to speak with our doctor at
Valley Sleep and TMJ in Oakdale, CA, if it is concluded that using an oral appliance for sleep apnea good option, you'll need a recommendation from the right dentist so they can perform an evaluation. Your dental impression will be taken, and our dentist will determine if you are a candidate for this procedure. Once the device is created, they will contact you to schedule a fitting. In order to realign your bite when the appliance is taken out, you will also be given a morning repositioner. Additionally, they will train you on how to operate and maintain the device. In order to receive the best possible care, you might also need to visit the dentist again.

FAQ

  • How do oral devices for sleep apnea function?

    Your lower jaw is pulled or pushed forward by oral appliances. You can prevent your tongue from obstructing your airway by doing this. As a result, there is less chance that you may snore or have your tongue block your airway as you sleep. If this device is helping you, the snoring noise should be completely gone or much reduced.


  • In comparison to CPAP, how well do oral appliances function?

    Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, also known as CPAP, is an effective sleep apnea treatment. CPAP usually produces immediate improvements, regardless matter how severe the sleep apnea is. Your sleep apnea will typically get better with an oral appliance, although it might not go away entirely. If you have moderate or severe OSA, CPAP is more likely to be effective than an oral appliance at treating your sleep apnea.

  • Do I need to have the appliance customized for me?

    You should get the sleep apnea mouthpiece customized to fit your mouth and jaw because everyone has a unique mouth and jaw shape. Our dentist at Valley Sleep and TMJ in Oakdale, CA will make a dental imprint (also known as a dental mold) of your teeth and send it to the lab so that the appliance may be created. You will return to our dentist's office a few weeks later to have the dental appliance for sleep apnea put into your mouth. Your jaw will be moved forward to a position that will be functional yet still comfortable. Over several weeks, the gadget will be adjusted under the supervision of your dentist. Following the appliance's installation, you'll have follow-up appointments with your dentist or a sleep expert.

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To find out more about how Dr. Sceville and our team at Valley Sleep and TMJ can help in treatment of snoring, sleep apnea, TMJ and jaw pain, contact our office today. With custom treatment options available, you can rest easy knowing there is something specifically designed to help you.

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