A good night’s sleep is invaluable to your overall health and wellness. Obstructive sleep apnea is often undiagnosed and can be life-threatening. An oral appliance could be the solution you’re looking for.
It is estimated that 22 million adult Americans suffer from sleep apnea, with 80% of moderate and severe cases going undiagnosed. Aside from having a serious impact on a person’s sleep and overall whole-body wellness, if left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, chronic heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and other serious cardiovascular problems.
What is sleep apnea?
There are three main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea which is caused by a blockage of the airway usually by the tongue
- Central Sleep Apnea which is caused by a signal failure between the brain and the muscles that cause you to breath
- Complex Sleep Apnea, which is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.
When it comes to oral appliance fabrication as a treatment for sleep apnea, dentists are primarily treating those with obstructive sleep apnea or the obstructive part of their complex sleep apnea condition, however, for those with Central Sleep Apnea who cannot tolerate a CPAP machine, oral appliances are a non-invasive option.