Oral Appliance Therapy
Statesville, NC
Living with sleep apnea is far from fun. No matter what you do to improve your sleep quality, you wake up every morning completely exhausted. Getting treatment for sleep apnea is not just important for improving your sleep, but also for improving your quality of life. At Fern Creek Dentistry, we can help you to do just that with oral appliance therapy.
The Problem with C-PAP
C-PAP treatment involves the use of a mask attached to a machine. The mask is worn over the nose while you sleep. The machine works to keep a constant flow of air going into the nasal passageways. This helps to keep your airway clear, preventing soft tissues from blocking your breathing. However, the mask can be uncomfortable. It may fall off if you move around while you sleep, or you could get tangled in the tubes. Additionally, the air could dry your nose.
How Does Oral Appliance Therapy Work?
Oral appliance therapy is a different kind of treatment. Instead of a mask attached to a machine, oral appliance therapy involves the use of a device that is worn in your mouth while you sleep. It is almost like a hybrid of a mouthguard and a retainer. The oral appliance is worn over both your upper and lower teeth. The goal of the device is to keep your lower jaw slightly more forward than normal, holding it in place so that it does not slide back while you sleep. With the jaw held forward, your soft tissues are held forward as well. This keeps your oral tissues from falling into your airway, enabling you to breathe normally.
What Kind of Oral Appliance Should I Get?
There are all kinds of oral appliances. You can find many at the drugstore. However, when it comes to treating sleep apnea, you should trust your mouth, and your breathing, to a professional with a custom-made oral appliance. While the ones you find at a drugstore might cost less, custom-made oral appliances will provide you with the greatest benefits. We can make an appliance that fits perfectly within your mouth. The appliance will take your teeth and your unique bite all into consideration, something a generic over the counter appliance is unable to do. This ensures that not only is the device comfortable, but that it stays in place and is effective as well.
Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy
With oral appliance therapy, you do not have to worry about getting tangled in air tubes while you sleep. You do not have to worry about the noise of the machine or the air drying out your nose. Oral appliances are typically much more comfortable and easier to deal with.
Additionally, they are a lot easier to travel with. If you go on vacation or take a trip for work, you do not have to worry about packing a machine in your luggage. Instead, you can easily pack your oral appliance in your bag and not have to worry that it is taking up too much space.
If you are interested in finding out if oral appliance therapy is right for your sleep apnea, call Fern Creek Dentistry at (704) 380-9555 today.
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