Dental Appliance for Sleep Apnea
In our office in Greenville, SC we make a custom dental appliance for sleep apnea including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). If you are CPAP intolerant or have OSA you may be a candidate for an appliance custom made by our sleep apnea dentist Dr. Leor Lindner.
Are You CPAP Intolerant?
The CPAP is considered the gold standard of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Yet thousands of patients can’t wear the mask and look for alternatives. If you fall into this category don’t worry there is an alternative. It’s a mandibular repositioning appliance (sleep apnea appliance) that is custom made for you by a highly trained sleep dentist specialist.
Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea: An Overview | Sleep Foundation
Treating obstructive sleep apnea is very important for people with it because it can cause serious side effects. People who suffer from OSA can only breathe once in their life for a few days because they have weakened lungs. As a consequence, they often get tired at dawn with headaches or other problems concentrating. This can affect your work, relationships, driving skills, and abilities. The OSA also increases the chance of strokes, cardiac arrests, or high HB pressure. About 25% of men and nearly 10% of women have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a serious sleep disorder. Central apnea occurs when the brain fails to tell the lungs to breathe and causes more serious health problems.
How much does a dental device for sleep apnea cost compared to a CPAP?
The cost of mandibular advancement devices and other oral devices can treat mild to moderate OSA and snoring. A typical sleep apnea mouth protection costs between $3000 to $4000. Includes appliances, teeth cleaning, and a check-up. Costs may be covered by most health insurance.A CPAP may cost $2000 and up but require monthly maintenance costs of $75 for life
Definitive Dental Appliances
Are your days tired after sleep? Does your breathing sound like noise in a dark room? When your symptoms begin and you feel intensely fatigued at night, this can cause sleep apnea. Dr. Lindner talks about sleeping apnea dental devices.
Pros and Cons of Dental Sleep Apnea Treatment Option-Devices
Many patients are now abandoning CPAP altogether. But it's also possible they've lost the apnea mask while sleeping. Further adjustments may be necessary. A nasal CPAP can be used if you have moderate OSA. The face mask is claustrophobic and causes a dry mouth.
How does oral appliance therapy compare to other treatment options for sleep apnea?
Dental appliances treatment has shown that it has not been shown to treat occlusive insomnia or continuous breathing therapy11. CPAP therapy is more effective at treating moderate OSA than mandibular enhancement devices. It is generally the best CPAP treatment for adult patients, as it offers a 95% efficacy ratio. The oral device may also prove better in the real environment as they have greater potential usage in real life. CPAP has only a compliance score of 47% over a 10-year period since some people can sleep without CPAP devices for longer than 30 days. Tongue retaining devices tend to be uncomfortable.
Benefits of Dental Appliances
Even though CPAP is considered the gold standard, many people cannot tolerate these devices because of the inconvenience they cause. Most patients have stopped taking CPAP for at least one year after receiving it. Dental appliances are much easier to use and have greater adherence to medical standards and therapeutic results are higher than CPAP. Dental implants can help reduce sleep disturbances. After a couple of days, you'll start seeing some improvement in symptoms. These mandibular advancement devices offer numerous advantages compared to conventional options. Similar to a mouth guard and retainer in fit.
What is the most effective oral appliance for sleep apnea?
Mandibular advancement device, MAD is a common sleeping apnea device, MADs are similar in style and feel as if they have a mouth protector for the sport. The devices slide over the top and bottom of the dental arch and are supported by metal hinges.
Everything you need to know about obstructive sleep apnea
If you suspect you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you know all too well how disruptive and uncomfortable it can be. Get an at-home sleep test.
A common treatment for OSA is using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, but this can be annoying to use and may make you feel claustrophobic. Fortunately, another option exists oral appliance therapy. Oral appliance therapy is an alternative approach for OSA—one that doesn't require wearing bulky equipment at night. With this option, the device stays in your mouth during sleep and helps keep your air flowing as you breathe. The devices are also less expensive than CPAP machines, which may help offset any out-of-pocket costs associated with treating OSA from other medical conditions such as heartburn or acid reflux disease that leads to snoring which then leads to sleep apnea so let's look at what exactly sleep apnea oral appliances are all about!
Wearing dental devices at night.
Mandibular advancement devices are very effective. These devices help keep the air open, so you don’t stop breathing while you sleep. They also prevent your tongue from falling back into your throat and keep your jaw forward.
If you have moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), talk to your dentist about whether this is a good option for you. To gain optimal health let your doctor decide if your health problems warrant a device.
Benefits of treating sleep apnea
There are many benefits to treating sleep apnea, including:
- Reduced snoring and improved sleep quality.
- Improved mood.
- Fewer work absences.
- Reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, or high blood pressure.
- Improved quality of life.
- Increased libido.
- Less urination at night (less nighttime trips to the bathroom).
Sleeping on your side instead of your back.
One of the best ways to treat sleep apnea is to lie on your side. This can be done by using sleep apnea oral appliances, which repositions the jaw and tongue so you’re less likely to snore or stop breathing during sleep. An oral appliance does not require surgery, but it does require a visit with a dentist who specializes in dental devices.
Symptoms of untreated sleep apnea
You may have sleep apnea if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Increased risk of stroke
- Sudden death
- Heart attack
- ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
- Dementia
- Diabetes and obesity
- Clenching>/li>
- Bruxism
- Work-related accidents
- Trouble concentrating
- Bed partner loses sleep too
- Congestive heart failure
- Snoring
- Lower jaw grinding
- Chest muscles atrophy
- TMJ
Using a CPAP machine at night.
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend that you use a CPAP machine at night. CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure and this device blows air into the throat to keep the airway open and is effective to treat obstructive sleep apnea.
A BiPAP machine is good for severe sleep apnea, but it is not a cure. It may take some time to get used to using the machine every night and adjusting to having something in your mouth while sleeping. However, many people who have used CPAP devices say that they are very effective in treating their symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea and reducing their snoring and daytime fatigue.
Standard protocol options for OSA
Surgery to remove excess tissue in the throat.
Surgery to remove excess tissue in the throat is the most invasive, and it’s only recommended for people who have moderate to severe apnea. Surgery is done in a hospital under general anesthesia by an ENT doctor (a doctor who specializes in the ear, nose and throat).
Radio-frequency tissue reduction (somnoplasty).
Radio-frequency tissue reduction (somnoplasty) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radio frequency energy to reduce excess tissue in the throat and tongue. It can be used to remove enlarged tonsils.
It works by heating the tissue, which causes it to shrink or "cook." The heat can be applied directly to the area needing it, or through probes inserted into the body.
Performing a technique called uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.
A surgery called uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is sometimes performed when other treatments fail to alleviate apnea symptoms. This procedure removes tissue from the soft palate, which is located at the back of your throat, and connects your mouth to your nasal passages. The goal is to open up the airway so that less snoring occurs, reducing the risk for sleep-related breathing disorders like OSA. If you’re considering uvulopalatopharyngoplasty as an option for yourself or a loved one with snoring issues, talk to your doctor or dentist before making any decisions.
Performing an operation called maxillomandibular advancement surgery.
Performing an operation called maxillomandibular advancement surgery.
This is a surgical procedure that moves the jaw forward and can improve breathing by opening up the airway in your throat. The surgery can be done under general anesthesia in a hospital or clinic.
Making diet and exercise changes.
Making diet and exercise changes.
- Eat smaller meals throughout the day and avoid eating at least 2 hours before bedtime. Smaller meals help you fall asleep faster, so if you're still awake after an hour or two of going to bed, try drinking warm milk or taking a calcium supplement (without vitamin D) instead of eating more food.
- Eat more fiber in your diet because it helps keep digestion regular, helping you sleeping better and feel less tired during the day! Try eating foods like kale chips or raw carrots for snacks; they have lots of fiber!
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and smoking: Alcohol has been shown to disrupt melatonin production which is crucial for healthy sleep patterns; caffeine can stay in your system for up to 12 hours after drinking it so make sure not too much caffeine is consumed before bedtime; smoking causes carbon monoxide which interferes with oxygen circulation throughout your body leading to poor quality restful sleep."
Preventing heartburn and indigestion so that you don't sleep with acid reflux disease which leads to sleep apnea.
If you suffer from acid reflux, you may want to avoid eating large meals right before bedtime. A full stomach can cause heartburn and indigestion, which in turn can lead to sleep apnea. If you are going to eat right before bedtime, make sure it's not a meal that causes heartburn or indigestion problems for you.
For example, spicy foods like peppers and hot sauce will cause your esophagus to become inflamed due to their capsaicin content. This inflammation increases acid production in the stomach by triggering increased gastric contractions that push food into the duodenum (the upper part of your small intestine). This leads directly to acid reflux disease since there is nowhere else for this now-unwanted food substance but back up through the esophagus into our mouth where we taste some pretty awful stuff!
Avoid alcohol and sedatives before bedtime, as these can make snoring worse, which leads to sleep apnea, which disrupts restful sleep.
Avoid alcohol and sedatives before bedtime, as these can make snoring worse, which leads to sleep apnea, which disrupts restful sleep.
- Avoiding alcohol and sedatives can help you get a good night's sleep. The National Sleep Foundation says that moderate alcohol consumption could help improve your snoring problem because it relaxes the throat muscles and reduces their vibration while you're sleeping. However, too much drinking can make your throat swell up even more than usual and create more noise in your breathing pattern—so limit yourself to one drink per day if you'd like to reap this benefit of alcohol!
Sleep apnea can be caused by excess tissue in the throat and is treated by removing the excess tissue in the throat or by using a CPAP machine at night
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes brief interruptions in breathing during sleep. It’s a common disorder, affecting about 1 in 3 adult men and 1 in 9 adult women.
Sleep apnea can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and serious health complications such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, and even premature death. In severe cases, it can be fatal if untreated.
The main cause of sleep apnea is excess tissue in the throat (known medically as “fatty deposits”), which block the airway during sleep and prevent you from breathing properly when you're snoozing away on your pillow. This causes your brain to wake you up so you can start breathing again; this process happens repeatedly throughout the night—hence why people with this condition often feel tired after they wake up!
How much does a dental device for sleep apnea cost?
When it comes to the cost of a dental device, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. That said, the average price for an oral appliance ranges from $3,000 to $4,000.
The total cost of sleep apnea may be higher if you need additional services like dental implants or gum surgery (which are often necessary). If you choose surgery instead of an oral appliance and need multiple procedures to correct your jaw alignment and bite, expect to pay upward of $15,000 or more.
Sleep apnea isn't cheap—but with effective options available at affordable prices (like CPAP machines), patients can get their lives back on track without breaking the bank. Most medical insurance covers the OSA device.
How does oral appliance therapy compare to other treatments for sleep apnea?
Oral appliance therapy is the least invasive approach for sleep apnea. In contrast to surgery, oral appliance therapy is less expensive and more durable, while providing the same benefits of preventing airway collapse during sleep. The good news is that it’s also less uncomfortable than surgery because patients can wear the device overnight at home without professional assistance.
Additionally, unlike CPAP machines (which are typically used in conjunction with oral appliances). Oral appliances do not require a machine, electricity, or special equipment to be used; they only require you to wear them when you go to bed at night and remove them when you wake up in the morning.
For those who don't have the minimum amount of teeth or cannot use a mandibular advancement device, a tongue stabilizing device is available.
- Surgery = expensive; long recovery time; limited durability; must be monitored by medical professionals over time
- Oral appliances = inexpensive; quick recovery time; durable for years without needing replacement or monitoring by medical professionals
Are You CPAP Intolerant?
If you are tired of taking pills, going to the doctor's office, and seeing a specialist every time you have an issue with your sleep apnea then it may be time for you to consider a treatment that will allow you to take control of your health. The most common alternative for CPAP intolerance is called oral appliance therapy (OAT). This method involves using a custom-made mouthpiece that helps keep the airway open during the night while sleeping. Dental Sleep Medicine of Greenville has helped many people overcome their obstructive sleep apnea symptoms by helping them find relief from their condition without having to rely on medication or CPAP machines to open the upper airway.
In order for OAT devices to work effectively, they must fit properly in the mouth so that they can conform correctly against one's lower jawline where there is space between two bony points called mandibular angles which are present just below where our upper teeth meet our lower lips.
Does oral appliance sleep apnea therapy work?
Oral appliance therapy is one of the most common non-surgical treatments for mild or moderate OSA. Oral appliances are devices that are worn in the mouth at night, and it keeps your upper airway open so you can breathe normally while sleeping. It’s made of a hard plastic that’s customized to fit your mouth similar to a mouth guard.
There are two types of oral appliances: mandibular repositioning devices and tongue retaining devices. The mandibular repositioning device works by shifting the lower jaw forward while you sleep, which opens up your throat and reduces snoring sounds caused by OSA. A tongue retaining device holds your tongue forward while you’re sleeping to keep it from falling back into your throat, which also helps reduce snoring sounds caused by obstructive sleep apnea
How long does an oral appliance for sleep apnea last?
The lifespan of your oral appliance depends on the device you have been prescribed. If a one-size-fits-all appliance is used, it may last for several years before needing to be replaced.
Some oral appliances are custom-made for each patient's needs and may last even longer than one size fits all devices. They may also be re-usable if properly maintained and cleaned. Disposable versions of this type of device are also available, but they tend to be less durable than the reusables because they cannot withstand the heavy wear and tear that occurs when they are frequently taken in and out of their place in your mouth during sleep apnea treatment.
Your oral appliance will come with a recommended lifespan of five years for it to be replaced or serviced. We recommend that you follow this schedule so that your device does not become worn out and break down prematurely. Your soft tissue remains healthy. Oral appliance therapy work as long as you wear it. The devices snap onto your teeth.
Which is better CPAP or oral appliance?
Oral appliances are the standard treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea. CPAP is better for moderate to severe apnea. But if you truly have severe OSA, the best combination approach is an oral appliance and BiPAP.
You should ask your doctor what will work best for you, but generally speaking:
- If you have only mild symptoms of OSA (your AHI is 15 or less), an oral appliance may be more effective than wearing a CPAP mask at night.
- If you have moderate symptoms of OSA (your AHI is 15-30), an oral appliance may be more effective than wearing a CPAP mask at night.
- If you have severe symptoms of OSA (your AHI is 30 or higher), we would recommend trying both treatments together first before deciding which one works best for your particular situation.
The AASM guidelines reflect this understanding, based on a careful analysis of the available scientific data, by indicating that Oral Appliances are an alternative treatment and non-inferior to CPAP.
If you are suffering from sleep apnea and considering an effective treatment, it is important to talk with a dentist sleep specialist. Dental Sleep Medicine of Greenville practices Clinical Sleep Medicine and can help you determine the best option for you.
