Who Can Benefit From a Dental Device for Sleep Apnea?

Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea? You’re not alone. About one-quarter of Americans between the ages of 30-70 have it. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of the condition. 

Andrea B. Elenbaas, DMD, MS, and her team at Remedy Clinic specialize in treating sleep apnea and disorders of the jaw, mouth, face, head, and neck.

What is obstructive sleep apnea? 

When you sleep, your muscles relax, which include your throat muscles. When you have sleep apnea, your throat muscles block the air passage so you stop and start breathing repeatedly during the night. Snoring is a common symptom of OSA, although not all snorers have it. 

A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is a standard treatment for OSA. However, it doesn’t work well for everyone. It includes a mask and mouthpiece that straps around your head. The equipment is attached to a machine that pushes air into your throat to help you breathe. 

Perhaps you’ve tried a CPAP machine and you just don’t sleep well when you’re wearing it. 

Thankfully, there’s another option. Dr. Elenbaas can fit you with special oral appliances that keep your airway clear so you can breathe well while you’re sleeping. 

Why it’s important to treat sleep apnea

Working with a medical professional to treat your sleep apnea should be a priority. Ignoring sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease. The more severe your sleep apnea, the greater the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and arrhythmia.  

An oral appliance helps many patients with sleep apnea

Dr. Elenbaas may recommend that you wear an oral appliance called a mandibular advancement device. It’s similar to a retainer that you would wear after orthodontic treatment. 

The mandibular device is made of sturdy plastic that fits over both your upper and lower teeth. The device moves your lower jaw just slightly forward, positioning your mouth to keep your airway open. It holds your tongue in the correct position so it doesn’t block your airway. 

In addition to helping you breathe better while you sleep, the mandibular advancement device calms your snoring. If you sleep with a partner, they’ll be able to sleep better too because you won’t be uttering loud snores and snorts. It should minimize or eliminate your gasping for breath at night. 

Taking care of your oral appliances is easy. You simply pop out the oral appliances when you wake up, sanitize them, and put them away until you’re ready for bed again. 

Can you benefit from an oral appliance for sleep apnea?

If you’ve already tried a CPAP machine and couldn’t get a good night’s sleep when wearing it, an oral appliance may work for you. If you have mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea, oral appliances may be just the solution you need to greatly reduce or eliminate your sleep apnea. However, if you’ve been told you have severe obstructive sleep apnea, you’ll likely need to learn to use a CPAP machine to help you breathe. 

Almost 80% of people who have bariatric surgery for obesity have sleep apnea, which shows that the two conditions are linked. Fatty deposits can narrow your airway. 

If you’re not significantly overweight or obese, you have a good chance of oral appliances improving your sleep apnea. Researchers have also found that side sleepers get better results than back sleepers. 

If you have central sleep apnea, oral appliances may not help you. Central sleep apnea is a fairly rare condition, unlike OSA. 

If you have sleep apnea and are searching for solutions for your interrupted sleep, call us at Remedy Clinic or request an appointment through our online portal today.