At All Smiles Dental, our services go beyond just cleanings and examinations. For patients who have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, we also provide dental appliances to help. This includes our mouth guard for sleeping that can replace the unsightly and bothersome CPAP machine most often recommended for OSA patients.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Drs. Roger Suter and Adam Boustany describe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as a disorder that causes a person to stop breathing for short periods of time during their sleep. This can lead to fatigue, poor concentration, and an increased risk of accidents. It can impact a patient’s daily life significantly if they cannot reach the deep, restorative levels of sleep they require to function at their best.
How is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treated with a Dentist?
Many patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea by their primary doctor will be advised to use a prescribed device called a CPAP machine. A CPAP machine, or Constant Positive Air Pressure machine, is used to maintain open airways while a patient sleeps. It requires the patient to wear a mask and tube that provides airflow through the nose and mouth. However, this device is difficult to travel with and can be uncomfortable to wear–causing many patients to stop using them. Instead, the team at All Smiles Dental encourages CPAP users to consider the advantages of working with a dentist to treat their disorder.
Obstructive sleep apnea can be treated by a dentist using a device called a mandibular advancement splint. This device moves the lower jaw forward slightly and opens up the airway, allowing the person to breathe more easily during sleep. It is much more comfortable to wear and ensures better compliance with patients who find the traditional CPAP machine difficult to use or uncomfortable to keep in place throughout the night.
How Do I Learn More About Obtaining a Mouth Guard for Sleeping?
The obstructive sleep apnea dental appliance available to Clarksburg, WV area patients can be obtained with the assistance of a dentist at All Smiles Dental. Drs. Roger Suter and Adam Boustany use these dental appliances to help patients comply with treatments, especially if they are unhappy with their CPAP machine. Call (304) 623-9188 to request an appointment with the team at 2017 East Pike Street.
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