HOW DO DENTAL SLEEP THERAPIES WORK?
If you are suffering from sleep apnea, CPAP treatment may be recommended to help you break the destructive sleep-wake cycle. However, CPAP treatment is not right for everyone, which is where dental sleep medicine enters the picture. Dental sleep medicine replaces CPAP therapy with oral appliance therapy for the same treatment results. If you are weighing your treatment options, here are the “need to know” dental sleep medicine facts.
What is dental sleep medicine?
Dental sleep medicine focuses on using a retainer-like device to treat sleep apnea. These devices, called oral appliances, move the lower jaw forward to open the airway for easier breathing. They are custom-fitted by dental sleep medicine experts for the highest level of patient comfort. For the right patient, dental sleep medicine can be an extremely effective alternative to CPAP treatment.
What are the benefits?
The benefit of dental sleep medicine is restoring sleep without having to wear a CPAP mask. Oral appliances are discreet, do not make noise during the night, and are more comfortable for many patients. Additionally, oral appliances effectively help people overcome sleep apnea and avoid complications like heart disease, obesity, and depression.
Who is a good candidate?
Good candidates for dental sleep medicine have mild to moderate sleep apnea. Additionally, oral appliances may help those who are either unable or unwilling to wear a CPAP mask to bed. Generally, people with severe sleep apnea get better treatment results with a CPAP. Your sleep medicine specialist will evaluate your symptoms to determine if oral appliance therapy could work for you.
If you have or suspect a sleep apnea diagnosis in New Jersey, call Sleep Dynamics for an appointment. We can diagnose your sleep disorder and determine the right treatment for you, from oral appliances to CPAP therapy. For more dental sleep medicine facts, or information on other treatment options, please call (848) 217-0240.
