Sleep Apnea Treatments
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious chronic disorder that causes severe social, psychological and physiological consequences for patients who suffer from sleep deprived cycles that reappear several times while sleeping. Although this condition seriously interferes with normal sleep activity, the term “apnea” literally means “no breathing,” which can lower oxygen levels so much that it impacts your quality of life and even life expectancy.
Luckily, there is hope for sleep apnea. Many sleep apnea treatments that are available today coordinate the latest in medical and dental technology. Sleep apnea treatments range from surgical to non-surgical procedures, pharmacological therapy, and the use of oral devices, all of which has their own advantages, disadvantages and success stories.
Before more research was conducted on sleep-related disorders, including sleep apnea or obstructive sleep apnea, surgeons performed general anesthesia operations that altered the landscape of the mouth, throat or uvula, as an effort to reduce the likelihood of the collapse of the throat, pharynx or uvula during sleep, which contributes to the lessening or cessation of air flow during breathing. Today, medical and dental professionals have worked together to evolve adapted sleep apnea treatments from complicated surgical procedures to easy to use oral devices that are effective, non-obtrusive and safe for patients with mild to moderate levels of sleep apnea.
If your physician or dentist has diagnosed you with sleep apnea or obstructive sleep apnea, be sure to ask them what sleep apnea treatment options will best suit your needs according to the severity of your sleep apnea, health, family medical history, or other factors. Surgical procedures such as Tracheostomy, Uvulopalatopharyngoplasy (UPPP), Orthognathic surgery or Laser-assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) are surgical sleep apnea treatment alternatives that should be discussed thoroughly with your physician to ensure that you understand all risks, side effects and the effectiveness of the procedure before you choose one of these options.
Non-surgical alternatives for sleep apnea treatment include changing your sleep position to open the airways during sleep, using pharmaceuticals to reduce rapid eye movement (REM) activity, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), which provides pressurized air through a mask worn over the mouth during sleep to prevent the collapse of the pharyngeal airway. The most recommended treatment is the use CPAP, which has been a standard treatment for many years. However, patients who are intolerant or unresponsive to CPAP may benefit from oral devices, which have far fewer side effects and is less intrusive than other sleep apnea treatments.
Oral appliances such as the adjustable jaw repositioning device, provides an effective and comfortable alternative to the above techniques by attaching to the teeth to help alleviate snoring by holding the mandible forward, which prevents the soft tissues of the tongue and throat from collapsing into the airway. Oral devices are fitted for each patient and made in a dental laboratory, and patients are able to adjust the piece themselves. These devices are non-obtrusive and comfortable enough for patients to wear every night, all night. The oral appliance is the number one treatment choice for sleep apnea because of its success and comfort.
If you want to know if you or someone you know may be suffering from sleep apnea or obstructive sleep apnea, read about Sleep Apnea Symptoms now, or consult the friendly professionals at the Cosmetic Dentistry Center and never lose another night’s sleep.
For any other dentistry related questions or to make an appointment, please contact us at 888.790.0309 or feel free to Ask the Dentist.
