Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects nearly 30 million adults in the U.S. This chronic condition is characterized by breathing pauses in your sleep, which reduces your oxygen levels and can lead to daytime fatigue and even memory loss. The least invasive, but effective, treatment option is oral appliance therapy. This appliance is created by your family dentist to keep your upper airway open.

How Oral Appliance Therapy Works

Two types of dental devices can be used to treat sleep apnea. There are mandibular advancing devices, which advance the lower jaw, and there are tongue-retaining devices. With a mandibular device, the airway is being kept open by bringing the lower jaw slightly forward. The tongue-retaining device prevents the tongue from falling backward during sleep, effectively preventing airway obstruction. Some devices do both.

Oral Appliance Therapy as an Alternative to CPAP

The gold standard of sleep apnea treatment is a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. These machines deliver constant and steady air pressure through a hose and mask. Unfortunately, compliance and adherence are low because they’re uncomfortable at best. For people with mild or moderate OSA, a family dentist can create a portable solution that doesn’t require a power source and allows you to get a good night’s sleep.

Early Diagnosis at Your Dental Checkup

In many cases, it’s the dentist who notices the first signs of sleep apnea in their patients. These may include worn surfaces of the teeth caused by grinding, a small jaw, a tongue with scalloped edges, or a redness of the throat. As a first step, your dentist may recommend a participation in a sleep study. Once sleep apnea is diagnosed, your dentist can find and implement the best treatment solution for your case.

If you suspect sleep apnea in yourself or a loved one, an appointment with a family dentist is a good first step. Blome Family Dentistry has extensive experience with sleep appliance therapy. This caring team in Lincoln, NE, focuses on providing the best dental care possible. Once your current needs are met, they help you keep up with your dental health by scheduling your next appointment and sending you reminders. Visit the website for more information or call (402) 483-7000 to make an appointment.