Okemos Lansing East Lansing MI
The latest data from the National Council of Aging estimates that more than 39 million adults in America live with obstructive sleep apnea. If you have been diagnosed with this sleep breathing disorder, you probably have been introduced to several treatment options. However, did you know that you can also receive sleep apnea treatment in Okemos from your dentist? Tenaglia Smiles wants to give you five reasons why you should consider seeing a sleep apnea dentist.
What is sleep apnea dentistry?
Sleep apnea dentistry is a specialized area of dental science that provides relief for sleep apnea by treating whatever problem is impacting the airway. While only a sleep specialist can make an official diagnosis of sleep apnea, we can evaluate patients for signs of this disorder and also provide treatment. Our staff usually prefers to treat sleep apnea with some type of oral appliance therapy. This involves fitting you with a mandibular advancement device, which guides your lower jaw forward and maintains an open airway all night long. Most of our patients fitted with an oral appliance find this method of treatment more tolerable as compared to a CPAP device, even though CPAP is considered the gold standard method of sleep apnea treatment.
The Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy
Benefit 1: Customizable
We offer a wide array of oral appliances to treat sleep apnea. Dr. Tenaglia customizes each of her sleep apnea oral appliances, using impressions of your mouth as the model to make for a secure and comfortable fit. No other sleep apnea treatment option is as customizable to meet your needs.
Benefit 2: Affordability
Oral devices, simply put, are one of the most affordable treatment options for sleep apnea to date. A CPAP machine requires frequent maintenance and upkeep that many sleep apnea patients find frustrating. Also, if a CPAP machine becomes damaged or malfunctions, repairs or replacement parts can be expensive.
Benefit 3: Portable
CPAP devices are transportable, but when you factor in the hoses, masks and overall size of the unit, many people can’t or won’t travel with a CPAP machine. A sleep apnea oral appliance, by contrast, is small enough to fit in your pocket, allowing complete freedom of movement. Our oral appliances free sleep apnea patients from cords and hoses that make travel a headache for CPAP users.
Benefit 4: Constant Use
CPAP therapy is dependent upon pressurized air being blown through the nose from a tub. If you suffer from nasal congestion, allergies, cold or flu use of your CPAP can be impossible. Your CPAP also will not work during a power outage. An oral appliance can be used to treat sleep apnea in Okemos at any time, any night, no matter what.
Benefit 5: Silence
For you, your family, or your partner, it can be extremely difficult to sleep through the noises that a CPAP machine produces. This is an added benefit because many people initially seek sleep apnea treatment because of complaints about their loud snoring or restless sleeping. By choosing oral appliance therapy for your sleep apnea, you’re ensuring a quiet night’s rest for your whole family.
Treating your sleep apnea in Okemos, Lansing and East Lansing in Michigan
You cannot afford to allow your sleep apnea to go untreated. Living with sleep apnea increases your risk of a cluster of potentially life-threatening health problems, including weight gain, cardiac arrest, stroke, hypertension, and cognitive difficulties. You produce a higher amount of stress hormones, becoming more easily irritated or agitated. You don’t have to live that way. Having a dentist like Dr. Tenaglia is vital to your long-term wellness.
Schedule your consultation today by calling (517) 347-6733 or contacting us online.