4 Commonly Asked Questions about Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances
When did you last wake up without a sore throat, headache, or fatigue? If these symptoms form your routine, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could be the culprit. This sleep disorder causes stop-and-start breathing when sleeping, causing numerous unpleasant symptoms. A Brush Above Family is excited to offer oral appliance therapy in Chicago, Illinois, to treat sleep apnea. Schedule an appointment today with Drs. Marcella Guzman, Philip Fidel, and Rosa Sinno, to recover your sleep and health.
What you should know about sleep apnea oral appliances
OSA is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of children and adults. OSA affects healthy breathing when sleeping, causing sleep and oxygen deprivation. Over time, this causes undesirable symptoms and puts you at risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, stroke, and other systemic conditions. Oral appliance therapy (OAT) is a simple but effective treatment for OSA. Keep reading to learn more about sleep apnea oral appliances.
1. How does an oral appliance for sleep apnea work?
A sleep apnea mouthguard is a customized oral appliance worn at night. It looks like a sports mouthguard but is worn at night. The device repositions the lower jaw and suppresses the tongue from collapsing. It keeps the airway open at night to sustain healthy breathing. When worn as the dentist directs, OAT is effective for mild to moderate OSA cases.
2. Why should I consider oral appliance therapy over CPAP?
Many traditional medical practitioners use CPAP devices as the standard treatment for OSA. CPAP therapy involves a machine that uses hoses and masks to force a constant stream of air through your airway to keep it open. Unfortunately, about 50% of the patients don’t follow through with treatment because of discomfort, inconvenience, and noise. While CPAP treatment is effective, its effectiveness is compromised due to low patient compliance.
Customized sleep apnea devices offer an effective alternative if you can’t tolerate CPAP therapy. Many patients love oral appliances because they are comfortable, portable, noiseless, discrete, and easy to use.
Do you snore excessively? Do you suffer from daytime fatigue? Do you awake during the night with shortness of breath? You may suffer from the life-threatening sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. About 1 in every 15 Americans suffer from sleep apnea and it is a problem that many don’t even realize they might have. But what does this have to do with dentistry? Because sleep apnea is caused by an airway obstruction, the disorder can be treated through the mouth. The Thorton adjustable positioner, or Tap appliance is one of the more popular ways to treat sleep apnea. When the jawbone yes lax, the tongue and soft tissue obstruct the airway. The tap appliance advances the jaw bone, allowing the air to flow freely and making sleep more restful throughout the night. If you think you might suffer from sleep apnea, talk to your dentist today about possible treatment options.
3. How are sleep apnea devices made?
It takes two easy dental visits to fabricate your sleep apnea device. The first visit is to take your bite impressions with a digital scan. These digital scans serve as a blueprint for our dental lab to custom-create your mouthguard. When your nightguard is ready, schedule another appointment to pick it up. Before you go home, we’ll advise you on how to wear and maintain your appliance.
4. How long before I get used to my sleep apnea device?
As your mouth adjusts to the appliance, you may experience mild soreness or tenderness in the teeth, jaw, or gums. This is normal since the device repositions your lower jaw slightly forward to keep the airway open. Also, some people experience increased saliva production as the tongue adjusts to a foreign object in the mouth.
Since your device is custom-fitted to your dentition, adjusting to your oral device will take a few days. After the adjustment period, you’ll sleep comfortably without noticing the presence of your device.
Sleep apnea treatment near me
Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea? Seek treatment now before your health takes on a downward spiral. Call (773) 840-0378 to reserve your sleep apnea consultation with Dr. Guzman and the team in Chicago, IL. Soon, you’ll sleep and breathe better, improving your health and quality of life.
Dr. Marcella Guzman
Dr. Marcella Guzman is an admired dental professional renowned for her unwavering commitment to excellence in patient care, with a rich background in biology and sociology. Since graduating from The University of Illinois Dental School in 1994, she has enhanced her skills through extensive continuing education, specializing in cutting-edge technologies such as Cerec 3-D, sleep apnea, Invisalign, and laser dentistry. Her dedication to staying up-to-date on the latest advancements ensures that her patients receive top-notch care. A distinguished member of The American Dental Association and Chicago Dental Society, Dr. Guzman's wealth of experience, coupled with her compassionate approach, establishes her as a trusted specialist in the field of dentistry.
