Can Oral Appliances treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in Los Angeles?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious but common condition that occurs when your breathing is interrupted while you sleep. Breathing may stop for a few seconds before restarting, and often resumes with a gasp. These episodes can occur up to five times per each hour of sleep. The cause of this disruption to regular breathing is a fully or partially blocked airway.
Each time your breathing stops, your body is jolted from its state of deep sleep. When left untreated, sleep apnea prevents you from experiencing a good night’s sleep and can impact your overall health and wellbeing. There are several treatment options available to people suffering from OSA in the Los Angeles area that can help you have the restful sleep your body needs.
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Sleep apnea effects over 22 million Americans
Daytime sleepiness and snoring are the most common symptoms of sleep apnea
Loud snoring can be disruptive enough on its own, but it is also often a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. If you are prone to loud snoring that wakes you or your bed partner up, you should make an appointment with your doctor or dentist specialized in OSA to determine the cause of your snoring. Snoring that is louder on your back and quieter on your side is common when it comes to obstructive sleep apnea.
Another common sign of sleep apnea is feeling incredibly tired and sleepy during the day. Patients suffering from OSA may find themselves falling asleep on the couch or lacking focus due to sleep deprivation. Here are some other signs and symptoms associated with sleep apnea:
- Jolting awake at night and gasping for air
- Waking up with a headache
- Irritability and changes in mood
- High blood pressure
- Decreased libido and/or sexual incontinence
Only a doctor can help you determine whether your symptoms are being caused by obstructive sleep apnea.
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues
Because it occurs while you are sleeping, OSA can be difficult to detect. Often, it is a spouse or bed partner that first notices there is an issue. However, it is important that patients do not ignore their symptoms as obstructive sleep apnea can cause many health issues.
Sleep is essential to all of the body’s functions and processes. While you sleep, your body is healing and recharging. Lack of sleep can impact your brain’s ability to function properly and can even adversely affect your immune system. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea may experience decreased performance at work or school, and can even result in motor vehicle crashes due to excessive tiredness in the daytime.
OSA has also been linked to severe health issues, including serious heart problems, strokes, and diabetes.
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Oral appliance therapy can effectively treat sleep apnea
While CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines are the most common way of treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea, many patients struggle to use them. CPAP machines require the patient to wear a mask, through which constant air pressure flows. When it comes to comfort, many CPAP users have a hard time getting used to their CPAP mask and machine. These machines are also loud, which can further interrupt the sleep of the user and their bed partners.
Another option for treating sleep apnea is through the use of Oral Appliance Therapy. This method, which is far less invasive, is becoming increasingly popular for mild to moderate cases of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Oral Appliance Therapy patients are fitted for a mouthguard, similar to a dental retainer or sports mouthguard. The mouthguard is only required to be worn at night and can prevent disruptions to breathing while sleeping.
Nighttime mouth guards help keep your airways open while you sleep
There are two ways in which dental appliances can help treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The most common type of device, called a mandibular advancement device, helps to push the jaw forward. This keeps the airway open while you sleep. Other devices can prevent the tongue from blocking the airway, which can be another cause of an obstructed airway.
Sleep apnea dental appliances differ from anti-snore devices such as snore guards. It is important that patients with sleep apnea are fitted for an OSA specific device.
Is a sleep apnea mouthguard right for you?
Dental appliances can treat many mild to moderate cases of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. For more severe cases, a CPAP machine is often required. Your doctor and dentist can help you determine the best treatment for your case of sleep apnea.
If you are wondering if Oral Appliance Therapy is right for you, here are some benefits to consider:
- Dental appliances are smaller and more portable than CPAP machines
- CPAP machines require electricity while dental appliances do not
- Dental appliances are easy to travel with and discreet to wear
- While CPAP machines are loud and intrusive, dental appliances are quiet
- Mouthguards offer a solution for patients who cannot tolerate or adjust to a CPAP machine
While there are many benefits to wearing a dental appliance, there are also some drawbacks:
- Dental appliances can cause changes to the bite, and can cause damage to teeth when worn over a long period of time
- Some patients report dry mouth at night and in the morning
- Nighttime mouth guards can cause jaw pain
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How to get a dental appliance
The first step in any Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment is being diagnosed with the disorder. This is typically done through a sleep study either in a physician’s office or at home. One your doctor has determined that you have OSA, they can help you decide which treatment is best for you.
Next, the doctor will refer you to a dentist who is experienced and qualified to administer Oral Appliance Therapy. Your dentist will take an impression of your mouth which will be used to develop a custom dental appliance for your treatment. Once the apparatus has been made, you will have an appointment to fit the device. Sometimes, the dentist may request a follow up sleep study to make sure that the Dental Appliance is working for you.
It is important to work with a dentist that offers FDA approved dental appliances. Avoid companies that sell mouthguards online as they do not effectively treat Sleep Apnea. At LA Dental Experts, our expert dentist specializes in treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea and can help you get a good night’s sleep.
Many insurance plans can help reduce the cost of sleep apnea treatments
The cost of Sleep Apnea treatments ranges widely depending on the cause and solution. Nighttime mouthguards used in Oral Appliance Therapy cost around $400 to $500, while CPAP machines can be very expensive. Most insurance plans cover Sleep Apnea treatments including mouthguards, and many dentists offer financing to help you access the care you need.
At your consultation, make sure to ask your dentist about insurance and financing so you know what to expect.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious but common condition that occurs when your breathing is interrupted while you sleep. Breathing may stop for a few seconds before restarting, and often resumes with a gasp. These episodes can occur up to five times per each hour of sleep. The cause of this disruption to regular breathing is a fully or partially blocked airway.
Each time your breathing stops, your body is jolted from its state of deep sleep. When left untreated, sleep apnea prevents you from experiencing a good night’s sleep and can impact your overall health and wellbeing. There are several treatment options available to people suffering from OSA in the Los Angeles area that can help you have the restful sleep your body needs.
Have a Look at
Sleep apnea effects over 22 million Americans
Daytime sleepiness and snoring are the most common symptoms of sleep apnea
Loud snoring can be disruptive enough on its own, but it is also often a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. If you are prone to loud snoring that wakes you or your bed partner up, you should make an appointment with your doctor or dentist specialized in OSA to determine the cause of your snoring. Snoring that is louder on your back and quieter on your side is common when it comes to obstructive sleep apnea.
Another common sign of sleep apnea is feeling incredibly tired and sleepy during the day. Patients suffering from OSA may find themselves falling asleep on the couch or lacking focus due to sleep deprivation. Here are some other signs and symptoms associated with sleep apnea:
- Jolting awake at night and gasping for air
- Waking up with a headache
- Irritability and changes in mood
- High blood pressure
- Decreased libido and/or sexual incontinence
Only a doctor can help you determine whether your symptoms are being caused by obstructive sleep apnea.
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues
Because it occurs while you are sleeping, OSA can be difficult to detect. Often, it is a spouse or bed partner that first notices there is an issue. However, it is important that patients do not ignore their symptoms as obstructive sleep apnea can cause many health issues.
Sleep is essential to all of the body’s functions and processes. While you sleep, your body is healing and recharging. Lack of sleep can impact your brain’s ability to function properly and can even adversely affect your immune system. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea may experience decreased performance at work or school, and can even result in motor vehicle crashes due to excessive tiredness in the daytime.
OSA has also been linked to severe health issues, including serious heart problems, strokes, and diabetes.
What Are You Waiting For...
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
Oral appliance therapy can effectively treat sleep apnea
While CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines are the most common way of treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea, many patients struggle to use them. CPAP machines require the patient to wear a mask, through which constant air pressure flows. When it comes to comfort, many CPAP users have a hard time getting used to their CPAP mask and machine. These machines are also loud, which can further interrupt the sleep of the user and their bed partners.
Another option for treating sleep apnea is through the use of Oral Appliance Therapy. This method, which is far less invasive, is becoming increasingly popular for mild to moderate cases of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Oral Appliance Therapy patients are fitted for a mouthguard, similar to a dental retainer or sports mouthguard. The mouthguard is only required to be worn at night and can prevent disruptions to breathing while sleeping.
Nighttime mouth guards help keep your airways open while you sleep
There are two ways in which dental appliances can help treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The most common type of device, called a mandibular advancement device, helps to push the jaw forward. This keeps the airway open while you sleep. Other devices can prevent the tongue from blocking the airway, which can be another cause of an obstructed airway.
Sleep apnea dental appliances differ from anti-snore devices such as snore guards. It is important that patients with sleep apnea are fitted for an OSA specific device.
Is a sleep apnea mouthguard right for you?</
Dental appliances can treat many mild to moderate cases of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. For more severe cases, a CPAP machine is often required. Your doctor and dentist can help you determine the best treatment for your case of sleep apnea.
If you are wondering if Oral Appliance Therapy is right for you, here are some benefits to consider:
- Dental appliances are smaller and more portable than CPAP machines
- CPAP machines require electricity while dental appliances do not
- Dental appliances are easy to travel with and discreet to wear
- While CPAP machines are loud and intrusive, dental appliances are quiet
- Mouthguards offer a solution for patients who cannot tolerate or adjust to a CPAP machine
While there are many benefits to wearing a dental appliance, there are also some drawbacks:
- Dental appliances can cause changes to the bite, and can cause damage to teeth when worn over a long period of time
- Some patients report dry mouth at night and in the morning
- Nighttime mouth guards can cause jaw pain
How to get a dental appliance
The first step in any Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment is being diagnosed with the disorder. This is typically done through a sleep study either in a physician’s office or at home. One your doctor has determined that you have OSA, they can help you decide which treatment is best for you.
Next, the doctor will refer you to a dentist who is experienced and qualified to administer Oral Appliance Therapy. Your dentist will take an impression of your mouth which will be used to develop a custom dental appliance for your treatment. Once the apparatus has been made, you will have an appointment to fit the device. Sometimes, the dentist may request a follow up sleep study to make sure that the Dental Appliance is working for you.
It is important to work with a dentist that offers FDA approved dental appliances. Avoid companies that sell mouthguards online as they do not effectively treat Sleep Apnea. At LA Dental Experts, our expert dentist specializes in treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea and can help you get a good night’s sleep.
Many insurance plans can help reduce the cost of sleep apnea treatments
The cost of Sleep Apnea treatments ranges widely depending on the cause and solution. Nighttime mouthguards used in Oral Appliance Therapy cost around $400 to $500, while CPAP machines can be very expensive. Most insurance plans cover Sleep Apnea treatments including mouthguards, and many dentists offer financing to help you access the care you need.
At your consultation, make sure to ask your dentist about insurance and financing so you know what to expect.
What Are You Waiting For...
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
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