Categories: Sleep Apnea

Dental Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea Treatment

For people with obstructive sleep apnea, a dental oral appliance is a common alternative to a continuous positive airway pressure machine, which is the treatment most often used to address this type of sleep disorder. A dentist can create a customized device similar to a mouthguard or retainer that fits over the teeth. If a patient has had trouble using a CPAP machine, it helps to know how a dental appliance works to reduce snoring and promote healthy sleep.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a type of disorder that disrupts a person’s sleep due to periods of interrupted breathing. There are three main categories of this condition, including obstructive sleep apnea, central apnea, and mixed apnea. OSA is the most common of the three types and occurs when a person’s breathing stops due to a blocked or collapsed upper airway. This results in a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the blood, signaling the body to wake up in order to breathe.

How can a dental appliance help treat sleep apnea?

The use of a CPAP machine or oral appliance is beneficial for people with OSA. Many people use a CPAP machine at night while sleeping, which uses a mask to deliver pure, pressurized air using a fan and filter. However, this treatment method is not ideal for everyone. Some people find it difficult to sleep with the noise the machine makes or find the mask uncomfortable.

In these situations, a dental appliance can help address the sleep disorder in a less obtrusive manner. While this solution may not be effective for people with very severe apnea, people with mild or moderate apnea may benefit from the way a mouthpiece places the mouth in a more favorable position for keeping the airway open. There are two main types of devices used for this purpose: Tongue retaining devices and mandibular advancement devices.

Tongue retaining device

Among people with sleep apnea, a larger-than-average tongue or excess tongue fat at the base can sometimes contribute to the condition. Additionally, lower placement of the tongue in the mouth can obstruct the airway and cause other breathing problems. A tongue retaining device pulls the tongue into a forward position. These mouthpieces typically feature a bulb section that the tongue sits inside and an area for the teeth to bite down on or a raised section that rests against the lips.

Mandibular advancement device

A mandibular advancement device looks similar to a mouthguard and is designed to move the jaw and tongue forward. When purchased from a dentist, a custom guard can be made that is designed to fit snugly over the teeth. The splint is only worn at night and can also help with snoring.

Conclusion

Living with obstructive sleep apnea can leave a person feeling tired during the day and restless at night. If you are not experiencing good results with a CPAP machine, talk to a dentist about using a dental appliance to help you get a better night’s sleep and feel more energized during the day.

Request an appointment here: https://www.lilburnfamilydentistry.com or call Lilburn Family Dentistry at (770) 800-0178 for an appointment in our Lilburn office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Recent Posts

Cosmetic Reasons For Getting Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can restore your smile. These restorations can bring back your normal dental function at the same time. Understanding the reasons to get caps to improve your looks can motivate you to set an appointment. Here are the cosmetic reasons for getting dental crowns.Severe decay deteriorates the enamel. This condition weakens the dental structure.…

3 Alternatives To Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are often costly and require that a dentist remove a significant amount of the tooth's structure to place them. Read on to learn about dental crown alternatives. Other treatment alternatives are sometimes available that are either less expensive or significantly less invasive. Dental crowns are frequently used to restore severely damaged teeth.The following…

Dental Crowns: Frequently Asked Questions

Dental crowns are one of the most well-known dental restorations. Most people have some idea of what dental crowns are. However, if you have never had one and this is your first time getting one, you may have many questions about what to expect. Here are some frequently asked questions about dental crowns that will…

Are You A Candidate For Dental Crowns?

Anyone with damaged, decayed, discolored, or misaligned teeth might be an ideal candidate for dental crowns. Also called caps, these restorations have various uses in dentistry and are often combined with other restorations like implants and bridges.A dental crown is a tooth-shaped shell that covers up the visible part of a tooth, protecting it against…

Dr. Jalpa Dave

Share
Published by
Dr. Jalpa Dave

Recent Posts

Cosmetic Reasons for Getting Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can restore your smile. These restorations can bring back your normal dental function…

5 days ago

3 Alternatives to Dental Crowns

The following are some dental crown alternatives that your dentist may suggest.

1 week ago

Dental Crowns: Frequently Asked Questions

Dental crowns are one of the most well-known dental restorations. Most people have some idea…

2 weeks ago

Are You a Candidate for Dental Crowns?

Anyone with damaged, decayed, discolored, or misaligned teeth might be an ideal candidate for dental…

3 weeks ago

What to Do When You Have a Broken Tooth: Expert Dental Advice

Having a broken tooth can be a stressful situation, but it does not need to…

3 weeks ago

Oral Hygiene Basics: Good Habits To Maintain

Keeping up with oral hygiene basics can prevent cavities and other issues with your teeth.…

4 weeks ago