A lot of people suffer from the effects of sleep apnea and are still struggling to find safe and effective ways to solve their problem. But today dental solutions for sleep apnea are widely available. With a medical doctor's prescription, dentists today construct custom oral appliances that serve as a replacement for traditional CPAP therapy. The treatment concept is the same (clear the airway obstruction), but rather than used forced air (CPAP), the dental device simply moves the jaw forward and opening the airway through the throat to the lungs.
The benefit of dental treatment of sleep apnea extends beyond disease treatment for the patient. First, the dental device is virtually invisible thus eliminating any psychological costs associated with wearing what many consider to be a very unattractive mask. Secondly, CPAP machines themselves can be a biological threat if strict sanitation schedules are not kept. Third, unlike CPAP, dental apnea treatment is silent and thus will not threaten the sleep of the patient's partner.
While non-doctor prescribed oral devices have grown increasingly in demand to treat sleep apnea, there is a very real danger in choosing this treatment path. There is a real (and potentially deadly) danger in self-diagnosis and the use of over-the-counter dental devices. Most of us subscribe to the old adage "you get what you pay for", and in this case, going cheap could be a fatal decision on your part. And sadly, there is the misconception that dental treatment of sleep apnea is expensive, when in fact the cost of the sleep apnea dental device is a fully covered medical expense covered by your medical insurance. Therefore, your dentist's custom dental device is likely to be less expensive than over-the-counter solutions.
Sleep apnea treatments in Newport News, VA involve oral appliance that is customized for every patient. This small acrylic device slightly advances the lower jaw or tongue. As a result, the base of the tongue will be moved forward opening the airway. The patient will then benefit from an improved breathing during sleep which reduces snoring and apnea.
To find out more about dental solutions to treat sleep apnea, contact Oyster Point Dentistry.
