Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley CA
Have you been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea? If so, you may think your only option for treatment is to start using a CPAP machine. Actually, this is not the case. Sleep apnea dentists in Santa Cruz at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry can treat sleep apnea through oral appliance therapy instead of prescribing the noisy CPAP.
What is oral appliance therapy, and how does it work?
An oral appliance looks and feels similar to a night guard, as it is custom made to fit over your teeth while you sleep. When worn, it moves the mandible or lower jaw forward, helping to maintain an open airway throughout the night. Since snoring often is caused by an airway blockage due to the tongue falling back into the throat, slightly repositioning the lower jaw helps keep the tongue in a more desired position.
These mouthpieces may look like the anti-snoring devices you can buy over the counter, but they are actually made of higher-quality materials. Plus, the oral appliances used to treat sleep apnea in Los Gatos are made from specific impressions of your teeth and mouth, making sure they fit as securely, effectively, and comfortably as possible.
If you have sleep apnea, CPAP is not your only option
CPAP has been considered the standard medical treatment for sleep apnea for decades. This involves wearing a mask over your nose and mouth, which is attached by a hose to a machine that maintains a steady flow of air while you sleep. This airflow helps to keep the airway open, preventing the blockages or collapses of soft tissue that cause a sleep apnea attack. However, it also has been estimated that as many as 70 percent of patients who receive CPAP as a sleep apnea treatment cease using the machine at some point in their lives. This is one of the worst things you can do; stopping treatment of sleep apnea only will make the disorder worse while increasing your risk of developing serious, chronic, and even life-threatening problems including heart disease, stroke, and depression.
Generally speaking, oral appliance therapy has a higher compliance rate among sleep apnea patients than CPAP
Sleep apnea patients are able to tolerate oral appliance therapy easier than CPAP for several reasons. For one, the mouthpieces are comfortable because they are constructed carefully from impressions of the mouth. They also are convenient; traveling with your sleep apnea oral appliance is as easy as putting it in its storage case and placing it into a bag or luggage. CPAP, however, is bulky, requires wires and plugs, and can be very cumbersome when traveling. CPAP also has been reported as a hindrance to intimacy, and sometimes the noise emanating from the machine can make it difficult for your partner to rest if you share your bed.
Are you ready to learn more about oral appliance therapy? This method of treatment could resolve your sleep apnea once and for all, while also helping you get the restful sleep that you have been denied due to your condition. Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry is dedicated to helping patients overcome sleep apnea and its associated health dangers. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea by another medical professional or you think you may be suffering from this disorder, contact our office at (831) 438-4411 to schedule a consultation.
Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry is proud to serve patients in the areas of Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley, California.
