Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley CA
According to the National Council of Aging, more than 39 million adults in the U.S. have obstructive sleep apnea. You may be one of the individuals that suffers from snoring and disrupted sleep that causes chronic fatigue. Most physicians in Scotts Valley that treat sleep apnea offer a CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure machine that forces air into the airways while sleeping. Unfortunately, CPAP compliance remains low because many users have trouble maintaining the machine and report that wearing the mask is uncomfortable.
A newer and improved sleep apnea treatment is available – oral appliance therapy. Today on our newest blog, explore the benefits of oral appliance therapy and how it could improve your sleep apnea symptoms so that you can rest better and feel your best.
Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy
Customizable
Oral appliances for sleep apnea treatment are designed from scans or impressions of your teeth and mouth for the most precise fit. The appliance fits comfortably in the mouth and is worn while sleeping to help hold the lower jaw in a more forward position that facilitates an open airway. Depending on the type of oral appliance prescribed by our sleep apnea dentist in Scotts Valley, the appliance may be adjustable for your treatment needs.
Affordable
Oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea is an affordable option and can be a one-time investment for your treatment needs. Unlike the CPAP that requires ongoing maintenance, special cleaning solutions and water to run effectively, your oral appliance can be maintained easily at home without the need for additional supplies. You may, however, need to see your dentist near Los Gatos that treats sleep apnea for a check-up to evaluate the effectiveness of your appliance and so that adjustments can be made periodically, if necessary.
Portable
While CPAP machines can be taken with you on trips or overnight stays, they are bulky to pack and require electricity to run. However, oral appliances are small and can be stored in a hard case that looks like a retainer case. That way, you can pack your oral appliance with you in your purse, briefcase or luggage for easy storage. You also won’t have to worry about having access to a plug near your bed since the oral appliance does not require electricity. The best part is that oral appliances aren’t affected by power outages, so you never have to worry about being left without sleep apnea treatment!
Quiet
Patients who receive oral appliance therapy appreciate that the treatment does not emit any noise, unlike a CPAP machine. This means that you’ll rest even better and so will your partner. Oral appliance therapy is quiet and discreet so that no one has to know you’re wearing your appliance.
Treating your sleep apnea in Scotts Valley, Los Gatos, and Santa Cruz
Leaving your sleep apnea untreated could be detrimental to your health by increasing your risk of a heart attack or stroke. If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea yet hesitated to get treatment because you didn’t want to be bothered with a CPAP machine, you are in luck! Ask our Scotts Valley sleep apnea dentists at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry about oral appliance therapy to help reduce snoring, open your airway, and rest better. Learn more by calling (831) 438-4411.
