For mild or moderate cases of sleep apnea and snoring, your doctor may recommend oral appliance therapy. This is a non-invasive, effective treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A custom-fit device can help improve your sleep and revitalize your health. Read on to find out where you can obtain an oral appliance.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that should be treated as soon as possible. Some common signs and symptoms of this condition include loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue, insomnia, trouble concentrating and irritability. A person who has signs and symptoms of the condition should talk to a doctor. A doctor, who is qualified to treat OSA, can determine if a patient can benefit from oral appliance therapy.
A health care provider can refer a patient to a qualified doctor to figure out how bad the condition is. Many times, this evaluation requires an overnight sleep study. A person may also be required to meet with the doctor to talk about the results and possible treatment options. If a patient decides to use a dental device, the doctor will write a prescription for the patient to obtain a custom-made oral appliance. The patient will also be referred to a dentist who is highly trained to treat OSA.
Oral appliances should fit each patient. The dentist will make an impression of a patient’s teeth and send it to the lab, where the device will be made. The patient will then be called for a fitting. The device will have to be adjusted so that it can move the jaw forward. This will be done carefully to ensure the oral appliance is effective and still comfortable.
The dental device will have to be adjusted for some time under the supervision of the dentist. After the oral device is fitted, a patient will still have to see a dentist or doctor frequently. There are some kinds of oral devices that people can buy over-the-counter. Although these devices are cheaper, they often do not work. The devices also take up lots of space in the mouth, pushing the tongue toward a person’s throat, which makes the condition worse.
Getting a device that fits properly is important. This increases the chances of the device helping with a patient’s sleep problems. Sometimes, the symptoms of sleep apnea can return. In such cases, it is important for a person to seek medical care. A dentist may be required to adjust an appliance to ensure it works properly. If the device is not helpful, a doctor may recommend other treatment options.
Choosing oral appliance therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate OSA is often recommended. Dental devices have to be prescribed by a doctor. It will then be made and fitted by a dentist. It is not advisable to obtain oral appliances that are sold without a prescription. If you have sleep apnea, contact your doctor as soon as you can so that treatment can start early. Using oral appliances can help to improve the symptoms of sleep apnea and prevent other problems from developing.
Request an appointment here: https://whiteflintfamilydental.com or call White Flint Family Dental at (301) 273-1085 for an appointment in our Rockville office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Do I Have Sleep Apnea in Rockville, MD.
Oral appliance therapy is ideal for people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This dental device keeps the airway open during slumber at night. It prevents sudden and short breathing cessation that lasts for 1-2 seconds or longer. Severe cases can cause serious health issues such as hypertension, heart attack, and stroke. Keep…
Seeking treatment for sleep apnea is important for your general health. Your general dentist can detect signs of this sleep disorder during a comprehensive dental exam. The sleep doctor can work with your dentist to correct the problem. Here are the details about when to see a dentist for sleep apnea.This sleep disorder makes a…
Sleep apnea is a fairly common medical condition that affects millions of Americans every day and, in some cases, can have life-threatening side effects. To get the right kind of help for your apnea, it first helps to understand the causes of this sleep condition, what the different causes mean for treatment, and how you…
Snoring is not the only sign of sleep apnea. It is a significant sleep condition that may have a negative impact on your health and quality of life in a short amount of time. Aside from feeling tired and drowsy throughout the day, untreated sleep apnea makes you vulnerable to different major health problems, including…
If you have significant tooth decay or you are missing part of a tooth, porcelain crowns may be a good option to discuss with your dentist. These crowns are a cosmetic dentistry procedure used to restore the shape, function, and color of teeth, and they can serve practical purposes as well as aesthetic ones. This…
Curious about how to achieve good oral health? Read on to learn about how a family dentist can help. A family dentist treats patients of all ages and provides comprehensive dental care. Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial to your health and well-being. Preventing dental issues and keeping your teeth and gums healthy requires regular…