Oral Appliances For Sleep Apnea
Oral Appliances Can Be Effective For Sleep Apnea
For those who snore and are at risk for sleep apnea, the dentist may be able to help.
That’s because oral appliances are recommended for those with mild to moderate sleep apnea. The Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine recently endorsed new guidelines for this treatment option, as published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
An oral appliance can look like a sports mouth guard or orthodontic retainer. Worn during sleep, it keeps the airway open and unobstructed by repositioning or stabilizing the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate or uvula.
According to the guidelines, the severity of the problem should first be assessed by a sleep clinician who can then decide if a dental referral is needed.
The exact cause of obstructive sleep apnea remains unclear. People with the condition may stop breathing hundreds of times during sleep, often for up to a minute at a time. Estimates are that 18 million people in the U.S. are affected.
The new guidelines affirm that continuous positive airway pressure therapy, or CPAP, should be considered as the first treatment option for sleep apnea, but for the first time state that oral appliances may be offered initially to people who prefer it to CPAP or who are intolerant to CPAP therapy. Research also suggests that oral appliances may be more effective than soft palate surgery.
"For many people with obstructive sleep apnea, an oral appliance is the best and most convenient treatment available," said Dr. Kent E. Moore, president of the ADSM.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved 40 different types of oral appliances, currently available on the market. Patients are advised to schedule follow-up appointments with their dentist for evaluation and monitoring.
The field of dental sleep medicine is experiencing rapid growth. Statistics show a growing need to address sleep apnea problems and the best methods of treatment. Half of sleep apnea patients may have high blood pressure, and risk for heart attack and stroke may also increase.
While occasional snoring is almost universal, nearly 60 percent of Americans suffer from daytime sleepiness as a side effect of sleep apnea, according to the ADSM. And each year, sleep disorders add nearly $18 billion to the national health care bill.
By: Rick Young
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
To find a dentist who is trained in the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea, visit www.dentalsleepmed.org. – NU
The oral appliance is a custom-made mouthpiece that shifts the lower jaw forward, opening up the airway. OAT is usually successful in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea Read more…
Small Device Helps Sleep Apnea Sufferers in a Big Way | Sleep …
The treatments offered depend on the type of Sleep apnea that a person suffers from. The treatments are broadly classified as follows: – Behavioral therapies – Positive pressure therapy Read more…
Urban offers a sleep apnea oral appliance and anti-snoring dental device for effective treatment of sleep disorders without CPAP or surgery. This Sleep Apnea website only provides inform… Read more…
Sleep Apnea Treatment: Sleep Apnea Information and the …
Green BAY: Oral appliances are a comfortable alternative to CPAP. Patients diagnosed with sleep apnea now have an excellent resource that covers diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea… Read more…
Mail this post
Tagged with: mouth pieces for sleep apnea • sleep apnea mouth piece • sleep apnea tubes
Filed under: General
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
This is my second visit to your site! I really enjoy your article and I believe I’ll become a frequent visitor to your site! I enjoy your in depth posts about sleep apnea mouth piece and I enjoy the fact you are so knowledgeable about sleep apnea mouth piece. Thanks for your time