SCOTTS VALLEY, SANTA CRUZ CA
After an official sleep apnea diagnosis, doctors typically prescribe a continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP machine. Studies show from one-third to over 50 percent of patients never fill the prescription or stop using their device. Those who do get the machine and use it mostly complain about the machine’s loud noise and the mask required for treatment. Most patients stop using their CPAP machine within a few days or weeks. Fortunately, the CPAP machine is not the only treatment that can help with your sleep apnea. The experienced airway dentists in Scotts Valley at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry want CPAP dropouts to experience an alternative sleep apnea treatment. Continue reading below for details about how you can kiss your CPAP goodbye and finally get the quality sleep you have been missing.
What are the available alternative sleep apnea treatments?
Although using a CPAP is the automatic sleep apnea industry response for sleep-breathing disorders, the machine is not the best choice for everyone who suffers from sleep apnea. The highly trained Scotts Valley sleep apnea dentists offer multiple treatments that may help with your condition.
Below is a list of additional treatments that you may need to treat your sleep apnea
- Oral Appliance Therapy – Mild to Moderate cases of sleep apnea can benefit from wearing an oral appliance while sleeping. The device holds the lower jaw and tongue forward to keep the airway open, allowing for proper airflow.
- Tongue-Tie Treatment – Dr. Max or Dr. Ariana may recommend a tongue tie release combined with myofunctional therapy depending on the shape of your airway and the resting posture of your tongue. Tongue ties restrict tongue movement and could be the cause of your sleep apnea. Therefore, a frenuloplasty can help your tongue rest in place and reduce the possibility of blocking your airway.
- Myofunctional Therapy – Myofunctional therapy is a pain-free treatment that uses exercises to work the mouth and tongue’s musculature. Since the tongue’s resting position and a correct swallowing pattern are crucial to your oral health, myofunctional therapy can make the necessary adjustment to help you breathe better during sleep.
- Buteyko Breathing – A medication-free way to ease over-breathing, Buteyko Breathing helps children and adults achieve proper breathing through the nose. The slower, shallower breaths give your body more time to absorb oxygen.
What is the financial benefit of using an alternative treatment?
The financial commitment to properly care for a CPAP machine is often more than most patients desire to spend, even for a good night’s rest. Between the hoses, masks, and maintenance supplies like wipes and brushes, the cost of using a CPAP increase over time. Also, some insurance companies have strict rules about how the patient uses the machine. The Scotts Valley dentists near you explain that if you violate the terms of use, your insurance may request the return of your appliance. Then, you would be responsible for purchasing your machine and materials or stop treatment altogether. Therefore, alternative therapies could save you time and money in the long run.
What are the risks of not seeking treatment for sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea can cause new problems to arise or exacerbate underlying health problems. After a reduced amount of sleep and being tired all the time, you may fall asleep while driving or at work. There are more severe consequences for patients who do not seek treatment. You may suffer from memory loss, low productivity, or anxiety, leading to high blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke. Therefore, the board-certified Scotts Valley dentists encourage each patient to try various treatment avenues for sleep apnea to find the best one for them.
Sleep Apnea in Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley, California
CPAP patients across the country stop using their machines for various reasons. Fortunately, additional treatments may be more effective and cost less than using a CPAP machine. If you have a sleep apnea diagnosis or think you have sleep apnea, feel free to contact the airway dentists in Scotts Valley at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry to learn more about alternative treatments. Call us at (831) 438-4411 or request an appointment online to start your journey towards a restful sleep.
