A LOOK AT A CPAP ALTERNATIVE (Updated 2020)
An oral appliance is a small device that is worn in the mouth at night. Some people wear oral appliances to protect their teeth from nightly teeth grinding. Others use oral appliance therapy because they have obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterized by the obstruction of the airways during sleep. Apnea can cause multiple cycles of temporary awakenings every night, lowering both sleep quality and quantity. Let’s take a look at both the candidates for and benefits of oral appliances.
Oral Appliance Candidates
A specialist might recommend oral appliance therapy if your disorder is relatively mild. Others may benefit when they are unable to tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. For instance, you might be unable to sleep while wearing the CPAP mask because of discomfort or noise. A custom-fit oral appliance can be an effective alternative.
Benefits of Oral Appliances
Dental sleep medicine is all about comfort and convenience. In addition to improving sleep quality, oral appliances are small and lightweight, making them easy to wear at night and also effortless for travel. Unlike CPAP, there are no cords or machines, and oral devices are quiet and discreet. Best of all, they are usually covered by insurance!
Is an Oral Appliance Right for You?
The majority of our patients acclimate easily, and quickly reap the benefits of oral appliances. Getting started is half the battle, as they say, so we’ve compiled some helpful tips for adjusting to your new oral appliance.
If you’re struggling with sleep, and think you may be a candidate for an oral appliance, we are here to help. We diagnose and treat sleep apnea, insomnia and more. Sleep Dynamics is a leading provider of effective oral appliance therapy in central New Jersey.Call us at (848) 217-0240, or send us a message.
