Sleep Apnea Treatment
Obstructive sleep apnea is an ongoing condition that disrupts sleep.
When breathing is paused or becomes shallow, one will often move out of deep sleep and into light sleep, making the quality of sleep poor. Sleep apnea can be treated with lifestyle changes, mouthpieces, breathing devices, and/or surgery.
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is often an effective alternative to CPAP for patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.
Many patients suffering from sleep apnea can be treated with a custom removable Oral Appliance Therapy appliance, which adjusts the position of the lower jaw and tongue to minimize airway obstruction. An oral appliance helps support the jaw from falling backwards and obstructing the airway. This allows for better oxygen flow and breathing. Some patients may notice they toss and turn a lot at night, and have difficulty sleeping on their backs, or snore loudly. These symptoms could be an indication of a possible airway obstruction.
For some patients with severe sleep apnea already on CPAP, combination therapy with an OAT is also considered. The OAT can help open and maintain the airway, which can help lower the pressure needed with the CPAP.