Sleep Apnea Treatment/Oral Appliance Fabrication

A good night's sleep is invaluable to your overall health and wellness. //

Sleep Apnea Treatment/Oral Appliance Fabrication

A good night's sleep is invaluable to your overall health and wellness. //

Sleep Apnea Treatment / Oral Appliance Fabrication

Sleep Apnea Treatment/Oral Appliance Fabrication

A good night’s sleep is invaluable to your overall health and wellness. Obstructive sleep apnea is often undiagnosed and can be life-threatening. A mouth guard oral appliance could be the solution you’re looking for.

An estimated 22 million adult Americans suffer from sleep apnea. 80% of moderate and severe cases go undiagnosed. Aside from having a serious impact on a person’s sleep, 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 is caused by a blockage of the airway usually by the tongue
  • Central Sleep Apnea is caused by a signal failure between the brain and the muscles that cause you to breath
  • Complex Sleep Apnea is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.

When it comes to obstructive sleep apnea treatment, dentists primarily use a specialized and custom mouth guard. The oral appliance specifically addresses the obstructive part of their complex sleep apnea condition. For those with Central Sleep Apnea who cannot tolerate a CPAP machine, a custom mouth guard is a non-invasive option.

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Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when a person’s tongue and soft palate relax into the airway, stopping the person from breathing normally. When a person’s airway becomes blocked while they are asleep, their body will wake them up to restart their breathing. For people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, this process of waking can happen many times per night.

How Sleep Apnea Can Impact Whole-Body Wellness

Aside from causing serious interruptions to a person’s sleep, leading to memory loss, fatigue, and a weakened immune system, sleep apnea can also contribute to heart disease, diabetes, and other long-term health risks.

Sleep apnea impacts virtually every part of the body including the digestive system, increasing a person’s chance of having fatty liver disease, and worsening the symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn. Closely linked to obesity and high blood pressure, sleep apnea can also increase the strain on a person’s heart leading to abnormal rhythms that may increase their chance of a stroke.

All in all, what may seem like just a sleep condition can end up being detrimental to the whole body. It is important that people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea seek out effective treatments.

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Treating Sleep Apnea with Oral Appliance Therapy

For those who suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea, their condition can be treated and improved with a specialized and custom mouth guard. It keeps the patient’s airways clear and open while they sleep. An oral appliance typically looks very similar to a retainer or mouth guard except that it is a custom piece created by a dentist for each unique patient.

There are a number of different mouth guard oral appliances available to help sleep apnea patients. Dr. Blum will recommend the best mouth guard depending on a number of factors. Some important factors to consider include the size of the patient’s mouth, whether they grind their teeth, how they bite, and the severity of their condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does oral appliance therapy help people who snore?

Snoring is not the same problem as sleep apnea, but it can be an indication of the condition. 85% of people who snore experience a quieter and more comfortable sleep as a result of using oral appliance therapy. Although, there are many other methods to try before resulting to oral appliance fabrication.

Is oral appliance therapy covered by insurance?

Sleep apnea is classed as a medical condition, which means that medical insurance will usually cover the diagnosis and treatment. If you wish to make a claim for the fabrication of your oral appliance therapy, a referral from a physician is often needed.

How long does oral appliance fabrication take?

From your first appointment to your first night wearing your oral appliance, you can typically expect about 2-3 weeks for the fabrication of your mouth guard. Once fitted, your mouth guard should last for five years, though many do last longer.

How do oral appliances differ from off-the-shelf mouth guards?

You may have seen off-the-shelf boil and bite mouth guards in a local pharmacy or big box store, but these are not personalized to the same degree as an oral appliance mouth guard. Oral appliances are carefully fitted to your soft palate and tongue and are designed to reposition your jaw, keeping your airways open while you sleep.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Here at Rinaldi Dental Arts, we can help you to get a good night’s sleep by fabricating a personalized oral appliance that will keep your airways free throughout the night.

If you would like to find out more about the oral appliance fabrication process or to schedule an appointment to have one fitted, please contact us today. We would be delighted to help.

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RINALDI DENTAL ARTS
The Collection at Chevy Chase
5481 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 221
Chevy Chase, MD 20815