If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and the mask, the hose and the noise keep you from using your CPAP, you are not out of options. A custom-fitted oral appliance, worn like a mouthguard, gently holds your lower jaw forward so your airway stays more open while you sleep.
It fits in a small case, makes no noise and needs no power cord. It is fitted in the same Wadsworth office where you may already get your cleanings, so the dentist adjusting it already knows your teeth.
Untreated sleep apnea is more than snoring. It leaves you tired through the day and is linked to high blood pressure and heart problems, which is why a treatment you will actually wear every night matters. The oral appliance is made to fit your own teeth, adjusted until it is comfortable, and small enough to pack for a weekend away.
Learn more about Sleep apnea therapyYou do not have to commit to a treatment plan to book a visit. Tell the office what is going on and they will find you a time.
Yes. Sleep apnea is a medical diagnosis made by a physician, usually after an overnight sleep study at a sleep center or at home. Once you have that diagnosis and your physician agrees an oral appliance is a good fit, the appliance is made to fit your teeth. If you already have a diagnosis and a CPAP you are not using, bring that history to your visit.
For many people with mild to moderate sleep apnea, an oral appliance works well, and it often gets worn more consistently because it is simpler to live with. CPAP is still the first choice for severe sleep apnea. The best treatment is the one you will actually use every night, and your physician and dentist can help you decide which that is.
It looks and feels much like a sports mouthguard, shaped to your own teeth. Most people need a few nights to get used to it. Some notice mild jaw stiffness in the morning at first, which usually eases soon after taking it out. If it is not comfortable, it can be adjusted.
Yes. Because it keeps your airway more open, it often quiets snoring too, which your partner may notice before you do. Snoring on its own is not always sleep apnea, though, so if you snore loudly and wake up tired, it is worth getting checked by a physician before treating the snoring alone.
Yes. The appliance is fitted at Premier Family Dental on High Street in Wadsworth, the same office that handles cleanings, exams and the rest of your family's dental care. The dentist fitting the appliance already knows your teeth and gums, and checking on it can fit into visits you are already making. The office is open Monday through Thursday.