Okemos, Lansing, East Lansing MI
The continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment is standard for managing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). At night, you wear a mask connected to a machine through a tube. The machine circulates air to maintain constant pressure in your airway to avoid the airway collapse that characterizes obstructive sleep apnea. Despite its efficacy, CPAP treatment has a bad reputation for being annoyingly loud and unpleasant for many users. CPAP’s intended function is to help people get a decent night’s sleep and lessen the effects of sleep apnea, but it may be thwarted in certain people. Fortunately, our Okemos sleep apnea dentist, Dr. Christine Tenaglia, shares on the blog today if it’s possible to quit using a CPAP for good and still treat your sleep apnea symptoms so that you can get a peaceful night’s rest in a comfortable setting.
Oral Appliance Therapy for OSA
A retainer-like device worn in the mouth is called an oral appliance. Patients with sleep apnea may avoid the compressed airway and snoring that often accompany the condition by wearing this appliance. Our East Lansing dentist who treats sleep apnea explains that different types of oral appliances are available, and they are crafted specifically for your jaw and teeth. Some of these devices move the lower jaw forward, preventing the airway from closing, while others keep the tongue from falling back and restricting the airway. Patients with sleep apnea like how the oral appliance may be used without drawing attention. The gadget is easy to use and pleasant to wear, and it provides them with an alternative method of preventing sleep apnea’s devastating effects by keeping their airway open throughout the night.
Research About OAT Effectiveness
Our Lansing sleep apnea dentist understands that some patients are reluctant to make the transition from a CPAP machine to an oral appliance. However, studies show that an oral appliance may be as effective as CPAP but without the noise. Most individuals with sleep apnea may benefit from using an oral appliance instead of CPAP. Other research shows that people with mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea may be helped by oral appliances. Additional studies found that OAT treatment was more acceptable to patients because, compared to CPAP, it’s a better solution for long-term sleep apnea management. In certain cases, patients don’t adhere to their CPAP treatment plan because they don’t wear their masks every night. Treating sleep apnea is crucial for reducing the severity of its potentially fatal symptoms.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, MI
Although your doctor recommends a CPAP machine for your sleep apnea, it may be time to follow up with our sleep apnea dentist in Okemos to assess if oral appliance therapy might be effective for you. These devices provide a solution for many patients to effectively control their sleep apnea without the need for a machine, which is a huge benefit. If you want to find out more about oral appliance therapy treatments or are ready to schedule a consultation to determine your sleep apnea severity and possible treatment options, please call Tenaglia Smiles at (517) 347-6733 or contact us online to request an appointment today.