Caused by the obstruction of the airways while asleep, sleepapnea affects countless individuals across the country. While the cause of this
condition varies by patient, many are often recommended continuous positive
airway pressure (CPAP) therapy as a means of treatment.
While considered the gold standard by most physicians, CPAP
therapy can be difficult to adjust to, with many patients often choosing
non-compliance over a better night’s rest. To help tackle non-compliance, oral
appliances have become a popular method of treating mild to moderate cases of
sleep apnea.
In addition to eliminating the machine component of
treatment, there are several unique advantages of sleep apnea oral appliances,
including:
Tailored to Your
Needs: Every case of sleep apnea is unique. While CPAP is often considered
blanket treatment for all forms of sleep apnea, oral appliances are tailored to
comprehensively address the cause of each individual’s sleep apnea.
Custom Fit Appliances:
Similar to other night guards, sleep apnea devices are created using custom
impressions of your dentition, resulting in a comfortable fit and effective
treatment. As the appliances are tailored to the patients’ smile, individuals
find themselves able to comfortably sleep with the appliance in place,
improving treatment compliance.
Easy Travel: For
individuals that are constantly traveling, CPAP machines can be difficult to
fit into a carry on. As these machines can also be fairly expensive, purchasing
multiple machines for different locations is often not a feasible option. Oral
appliances are similar in size to orthodontic retainers or bruxism mouth
guards, making them easy to slip into a container and travel with.
Silent Care: CPAP
machines are notorious for making noise when in use, making it difficult for
light sleepers to enjoy a good night’s rest. As oral appliances are silent,
many unable to tolerate the noise associated with CPAP find themselves able to
enjoy undisrupted sleep with this appliance.
Easy Maintenance:
With multiple tubes and masks, cleaning CPAP machines can become a hassle for
busy patients. Cleaning sleep apnea devices is a simple, 15 minute soaking
process that can be easily integrated into a daily hygiene routine.
In Pleasant Hill, Dr. Kevin T. Dowd and his team work closely
with local sleep specialists and other medical professionals to find the right
sleep apnea solution for each patient. For more information about using oral
appliances as an alternative to CPAP therapy, contact our Pleasant Hill dentist
today.
