Oral Appliance Therapy For Sleep Apnea

For patients who suffer from severe osa and are utilizing a cpap machine gold standard for severe cases an oral appliance can be used in conjunction with the cpap for maximum benefit to the patient.

Oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea.

Research shows that oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. An alternative treatment is oral appliance therapy. It supports the jaw in a forward position to help maintain an open upper airway. Oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.

The purpose of this appliance is to keep your airway open while you sleep so that you can breathe easily without any apnea interruptions. Worn only during sleep an oral appliance fits like an orthodontic retainer. One appliance looks like a mouth guard. It involves wearing a removable oral appliance in your mouth as you sleep.

Oral appliance therapy is a treatment for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Despite their double retainer like appearance oral appliances are said to be comfortable to use. Another dental device stabilizes the tongue. If you and your doctor decide that oral appliance therapy is the best treatment option for you then your doctor will write a prescription for you to receive a custom made oral appliance.

They should be custom fitted by your dentist to ensure both comfort and effectiveness. Oral appliance therapy is commonly used today in the treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea osa. If you have persistent symptoms of sleep apnea and don t use your cpap you should have a conversation with your sleep doctor to review alternative treatments including potentially using an oral appliance and trying some exercises as long as you do not have severe sleep apnea. Oral appliances are a good and effective alternative to cpap in treating mild to moderate sleep apnea.

Oral appliances are most effective in the treatment of mild to moderate sleep apnea although they do provide a treatment alternative for patients with severe osa who cannot or will not tolerate positive airway pressure therapy.