Do you snore in your sleep or wake up feeling tired and groggy? Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea but find yourself intolerant of the CPAP?
Dr. Rados offers oral appliances as a general dentistry offering for the treatment of snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Oral appliances are convenient, comfortable, and considered effective for mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring issues.
How can my dentist help sleep apnea?
Millions of Americans — and their partners — suffer from the effects of snoring. Snoring is more than a mere annoyance, it’s often a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The most commonly recommended treatment for OSA is a CPAP machine. Dr. Natasha Radosavljevic, your dentist in Clearwater FL, can help with an alternative treatment in the form of an oral appliance to wear while you’re asleep.
What causes sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is most commonly seen in those individuals that are considered medically obese or overweight. If you are obese or overweight, some sleep positions can cause the airway to become obstructed as the muscles relax during sleep, restricting or even cutting off airflow to the rest of the body.
The sleeper may awaken multiple times overnight gasping for air. As a result of this struggle to sleep soundly, the individual may be tired, fall asleep, and have issues with memory and concentration during the day.
Isn’t the only option for sleep apnea CPAP therapy?
Although CPAP therapy is the most commonly prescribed sleep apnea treatment, an oral appliance offers a similar result through different means. Both keep the airway open during sleep, when the soft tissue in the mouth are more relaxed.
However, instead of keeping the airway from closing with a constant flow of air, as is the case with CPAP therapy, the oral appliance is custom-fitted to the patient’s mouth by Dr. Rados to keep the airway open.
The appliance repositions the bottom jaw, moving it forward to prevent the soft tissue from collapsing over the airway. The device is even sturdy enough to stand up to use by individuals suffering from bruxism, or teeth grinding, so even these patients can benefit from this progressive sleep apnea treatment.
How comfortable is a sleep apnea oral appliance to use?
Dr. Rados will meet with patients for an individual consultation where they will examine the mouth and make sure you’re fitted correctly and comfortably. The device physically repositions your jaw, but it’s designed to be comfortable and disrupt sleep as little as possible. Once using the appliance, most patients report a reduction in waking up from snoring or shortness of breath, leading to better, better mornings and happier partners!
Do I have to make an appointment with a dentist to get it?
What makes a device like this effective for sleep apnea is that it’s fitted to the individual patient’s mouth as everyone’s jaws and throat are different. Dr. Rados will meet with you to discuss your needs, gather precise measurements and your mouth’s specific details, and will work with you to make sure the device is as comfortable as possible. We don’t want to stop your snoring only to have you waking up with a sore jaw.
Our caring staff at at our Clearwater FL office want to help you get better sleep. Call 727.360.4302 or schedule an appointment online today.