Oral Appliance Therapy
 In the fast-paced lifestyle of today, a good night of sleep has become a precious commodity, yet it remains elusive for many. Among the culprits disrupting our much-needed rest is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. At Sleep Apnea Solutions of Cincinnati, we custom-fit oral appliance devices to improve the quality of your sleep. If you need treatment for sleep apnea, a snore guard, or a night mouth guard, our practice offers the solutions you need.What Is Sleep Apnea?Sleep apnea comes in various forms. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that causes interrupted breathing during sleep. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea is quite dangerous because a person with the condition will stop breathing, sometimes for up to a hundred times in one night. Obstructive sleep apnea manifests in various forms. The first form is associated with a partly or completely blocked upper airway during sleep. This type of sleep apnea will force the diaphragm and chest muscles to exert more pressure to keep the airway open. The airway opens with a body jerk or a loud gasp, interfering with sound sleep. Central sleep apnea does not involve any physical blocking of the airway. However, it involves the inability of the brain to signal muscles to breathe due to the instability of the respiratory control center. Oral appliance therapy is ineffective for patients with central sleep apnea, as their condition stems from problems in the central nervous system and its control of breathing, which cannot be addressed through oral appliances. Mixed sleep apnea is another type of sleep apnea. This type combines elements of both obstructive and central sleep apnea, manifesting symptoms of both types. How Oral Appliance Therapy Will Help Patients with Sleep ApneaOnce we have diagnosed your sleep apnea, we will advise you on how to go about with your oral appliance therapy. Usually, our dentists will send you to the lab to have a small, custom-fit oral appliance device designed for you. Our dentists can recommend a tongue-retaining device to keep your tongue protruding throughout the night or a mandibular advancement device to advance your lower jaw. Tongue-retaining devices are considered the only option for patients with no teeth or missing several teeth. Either of these oral appliance devices will help you breathe freely throughout the night by keeping your lower jaw in place to ensure that the tongue and other soft tissues do not obstruct the airway. Oral appliance devices help protrude the lower jaw to enlarge the airway space. When these devices are in action, your lateral airway diameter is the most prominent feature that widens. How Efficient Is Oral Appliance Therapy?Oral appliance therapy is considered an effective medical intervention for obstructive sleep apnea. These devices tick all the boxes associated with a respiratory event, including improved oxygen saturation, sleep efficiency, and arousal index. If you are uncertain about the efficacy of oral appliance devices, you can rest assured that they will ultimately achieve the goals of sleep apnea therapy. Oral appliance therapy will improve the symptoms of this sleep-related condition, reduce associated health risks, and improve sleep quality. If you need more information on oral appliance therapy, Sleep Apnea Solutions of Cincinnati is ready to answer your questions. Reach out to us at (513) 991-2520, and we will consider the type of sleep apnea affecting your sleep quality and advise on the best oral appliance therapy. |
Office HoursMonday - Thursday: By Appointment Only Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm |
