Are restless nights and constant fatigue keeping you from enjoying life? If sleep apnea disrupts your sleep and bulky CPAP machines aren’t the right fit for you, there’s good news! While CPAP machines often steal the spotlight as the go-to solution for treating sleep apnea, it’s not your only option. From custom-fitting oral appliances to modern therapies, your dentist can help you reclaim your sleep without the need for an uncomfortable machine. Our team understands this condition’s challenges and offers advanced, non-invasive treatments that could improve your sleep and overall health.
At Birch Family Dental, we’ve helped countless patients explore alternatives to CPAP therapy, offering custom oral appliances designed for comfort and ease of use. With years of experience serving families in Green River, Wyoming, we’re committed to providing solutions tailored to your unique needs. Our focus on patient care and the latest technology ensures you’re in trusted hands when addressing sleep apnea.
The Role of Dentists in Treating Sleep Apnea
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates that at least 25 million adults suffer from sleep apnea. With such a prevalent percentage of the population dealing with this disorder, it has become a necessity for the medical community to design new and innovative technologies to treat patients with sleep apnea. While a CPAP machine is the most commonly thought of treatment for providing relief, dentists are now taking a larger role in treating sleep apnea through oral appliances.
Understanding Oral Appliances
Oral appliances are devices or mouthpieces that are placed in the mouth to hold your airway open while you sleep. The upper airway becomes blocked for sleep apnea patients, causing airflow restriction. When this happens, your body will wake up just enough to restart your breathing. This cycle continues throughout the night as you stop breathing and awaken, preventing you from sleeping soundly. Oral appliances are designed to hold your mouth in an optimal position to keep oxygen flowing and stop the sleep and wake cycle. There are two main types of oral appliances used to treat sleep apnea: mandibular advancement devices (MADs) and tongue-stabilizing devices (TSDs).
Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs)
This is the most common oral appliance used to treat sleep apnea. It works by pulling your lower jaw and tongue forward to maintain an open airway. MADs come in two parts: one to fit over your top teeth and the other to fit over your bottom teeth. These two parts are connected using screws, hinges, and rubber bands to work together to pull your lower jaw forward. Your MAD can be customized based on:
- Size
- Material (firm or soft)
- The method used to connect the top and bottom devices
- The extent to which your teeth touch when you close your mouth
- How far forward the device moves your jaw
Your dentist can tailor your mandibular advancement device to your specific preferences to create a comfortable fit that gives you the best sleep possible.
Tongue-Stabilizing Devices (TSDs)
Tongue-stabilizing devices, also known as tongue-retaining devices, use suction to treat sleep apnea by pulling the tongue forward so it can’t block your airway. The device itself remains on the outside of the mouth while a suction bulb holds your tongue in place while you sleep. This type of device is not as popular as mandibular advancement devices. However, it is still a valuable option for anyone looking to manage their sleep apnea and improve their quality of sleep.
If you are looking for alternative solutions to treat your sleep apnea, contact your dentist to discuss your options and get started on improving your sleep and getting back to enjoying life.
Birch Family Dental: Your Partner in Sleep Apnea Treatment
At Birch Family Dental, we pride ourselves on offering innovative, patient-focused solutions for sleep apnea. Our customized oral appliances provide a comfortable, effective alternative to CPAP machines, helping you achieve your desired restful sleep. With extensive experience and the latest technology, we tailor each treatment plan to your unique needs, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way.
If you’re ready to explore alternatives for managing sleep apnea and improving your quality of life, contact us today. Call us at (307) 875-3658 or visit our contact form. Your journey to better sleep starts here!
