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When Sleep Doesn’t Actually Feel Restful
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night, often without the person even realizing it's happening. This disrupted breathing is frequently accompanied by loud snoring, gasping or choking sounds during sleep, and it prevents the body from reaching the deep, restorative sleep it needs. Left untreated, sleep apnea doesn't just leave you feeling exhausted, it's also been linked to more serious health risks, including high blood pressure, heart disease and increased daytime accident risk due to fatigue.
Dental treatment for sleep apnea centers on a custom oral appliance, worn at night to gently reposition the jaw and keep the airway open throughout sleep. For many patients, this offers a more comfortable and manageable alternative to a CPAP machine, without sacrificing the health benefits of treating sleep apnea properly.
Schedule a Sleep Apnea Consultation
How an Oral Appliance Keeps Your Airway Open
Sleep apnea often occurs because the soft tissue at the back of the throat relaxes during sleep, partially or fully blocking the airway and interrupting normal breathing. A custom oral appliance addresses this directly by gently holding the lower jaw in a slightly forward position throughout the night, which helps keep the airway open and prevents the tissue collapse that leads to apnea episodes.
Unlike a CPAP machine, which requires a mask and a continuous flow of air, an oral appliance is small, portable and worn much like a mouthguard, making it a far more comfortable option for many patients, particularly those who have struggled to adjust to CPAP therapy. For patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea especially, an oral appliance can offer meaningful relief without the bulkier equipment.
Who Is a Candidate for Oral Appliance Therapy?
An oral appliance may be a good option if you:
- Have been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea
- Snore loudly and consistently, especially if a partner has noticed pauses in your breathing
- Have tried CPAP therapy but found it uncomfortable or difficult to use consistently
- Experience persistent daytime fatigue despite spending enough time in bed
- Prefer a more portable, low-maintenance treatment option compared to CPAP equipment
Sleep apnea treatment often involves working alongside a physician or sleep specialist, and Dr. Dennison can coordinate with your medical provider to ensure an oral appliance is the appropriate treatment for your specific diagnosis.
Getting Fitted for Your Sleep Apnea Appliance
Treating sleep apnea with an oral appliance follows a clear, structured process from diagnosis through your final fitting.
Reviewing Your Diagnosis
Oral Evaluation
Taking Impressions or Digital Scans
Custom Fabrication
Fitting and Adjustments
Follow-up Monitoring
Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea
Improved Sleep Quality
Keeping the airway open throughout the night allows for deeper, more restorative sleep.
Reduced Snoring
Many patients and their partners notice a significant reduction in snoring once treatment begins.
A more comfortable alternative to CPAP
Oral appliances are compact, quiet and don't require a mask or machine.
Supports Long-Term Health
Treating sleep apnea helps reduce the associated risks of high blood pressure, heart disease and other complications.
Easy to Travel With
Unlike CPAP equipment, an oral appliance is small and simple to bring along, wherever you're headed.
Ready for a Better Night’s Sleep?
If snoring, fatigue or a sleep apnea diagnosis has been affecting your rest, a custom oral appliance may offer the relief you've been looking for, without the bulk of a CPAP machine.
Schedule Your Sleep Apnea Consultation