4 Questions to Ask About Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea

If you have sleep apnea, then you already know how much it can affect your life. Sleep apnea can occur when, during sleep, there is a blockage in or collapse of the airway. This can happen if the muscles in the throat or jaw relax too much, and can lead to repeated stoppages of breathing. As you are likely aware, these stoppages in breathing can have serious consequences to your health, including conditions like hypertension and even cardiovascular disease.

It’s important to treat sleep apnea correctly, but treatment depends on the patient and the particular cause of the patient’s sleep apnea. Additionally, some patients might have lifestyle needs a professional will have to account for and accommodate when recommending certain treatments.

Traditionally, CPAP machines have been used to treat sleep apnea. These machines work by delivering a steady stream of air directly into a patient’s airway, which helps the patient breathe at night. The problem for many patients is that these machines are bulky and often uncomfortable to use because the patient must wear a mask or nose piece during sleep. Also, CPAP machines can be pretty loud, disturbing a sleep partner. Although CPAP machines are a good option for many patients, many others just don’t find them acceptable to use.

The alternative to a CPAP machine and CPAP therapy is a simple oral appliance that can work in many cases, particularly TMJ (jaw joint) disorders. While this is an excellent option quite often, many patients simply don’t know about it. Custom-made, comfortable, and convenient, an oral appliance is what you would hope a sleep apnea treatment would be. And for many patients, it’s especially effective, and can also help with jaw and/or facial pain.

The oral appliance is custom-made for each individual patient to suit their anatomy, and helps the jaw, tongue, and airway rest naturally. This makes the appliance quite comfortable for patients. On top of that, the appliance is easy to manage, maintain, and use.

An oral appliance helps the body naturally prevent some of the possible causes of sleep apnea, thereby preventing symptoms. Oral appliance therapy is, in fact, a proven method approved by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and within about 3 months, many patients will be 90% symptom-free. An oral appliance could work well for you, and the best way to find out is during a simple consultation with us here at Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders.

Yes, we do! With a simple, custom oral appliance, you could very well receive relief from sleep apnea. Get in touch with us today, feel free to call us. We are serving patients from all over the USA. Locations in Bloomington IL, Peoria – Dunlap IL, Mishawaka IN, Kansas City MO, El Paso TX, Wausau WI.