When it comes to snoring and sleep apnea, these conditions aren’t just bothersome to the person sleeping next to you. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that can affect your breathing throughout the night. But with oral appliance therapy from dentists, you can treat this troubling issue and get a full night’s sleep.

Below, the local dentists from Drs. Emery & Scuro, a dental office in Rochester, NY, are sharing the advantages of oral appliance therapy:

How It Works

An oral appliance for sleep apnea is a small device that fits in the mouth like a retainer or mouth guard, which is worn during sleep. By supporting the jaw, it helps keep the airway open. If you and your family dentist determine that you’re a good candidate for this treatment, a custom device will be made for you to perfectly fit your mouth. There are over 100 different types of oral appliances available, so dentists can help you choose the one that’s best for you. And in many cases, they are covered by medical insurance.

Benefits

Traditionally, sleep apnea has been treated using CPAP machines. While they can be effective, they require people to wear a mask all night, which increases air pressure in the throat with an attached tube. The disadvantages of CPAP machines are skin irritation, bulky equipment, the noise they make when in use, and that overall, they’re more complicated.

With an oral appliance, you can carry on with your regular sleep activities, without having to worry about a face mask staying in place. Likewise, if you’re on vacation or away from home, you can easily take your oral device with you wherever you go, without having to lug around heavy equipment. They fit comfortably, and you can still open your mouth and talk with them when in use. When it comes to convenience and effective treatment for sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy offers the best of both worlds.

If you’re ready to take control of your sleep apnea, reach out to the dentists at Drs. Emery & Scuro, a general dental office in Rochester, NY. Whether you need oral appliance therapy or preventive dental care, they offer comprehensive care for the whole family. Visit them online to learn more, or call 585-247-7110 to make an appointment.