Snoring can be more than an annoyance for you or your partner. In some people, frequent or loud snoring can be associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
If you snore regularly, wake feeling unrested, or have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, a custom dental sleep appliance may be one treatment option worth discussing with your healthcare provider.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles and tissues around the airway relax during sleep and interfere with normal airflow.
Possible signs can include loud snoring, pauses in breathing noticed by another person, waking up gasping or choking, morning headaches, daytime tiredness, and difficulty concentrating.
Because sleep apnea is a medical condition, proper diagnosis is important. A dentist can be part of your care team, particularly when an oral appliance has been recommended as a treatment option.
How Can a Dental Sleep Appliance Help?
One type of oral appliance used for sleep-disordered breathing is a mandibular advancement device (MAD).
The appliance is worn while sleeping and gently positions the lower jaw forward. This can help keep the airway more open during sleep.
Unlike a CPAP machine, an oral appliance doesn’t require a mask, tubing or powered airflow. Its compact size can also make it convenient for travel.
However, oral appliances aren’t appropriate for every patient or every type of sleep apnea. The right treatment depends on your diagnosis, symptoms and individual health needs.
Custom-Fitted vs. Over-the-Counter Devices
A professionally made sleep appliance is customized to your mouth rather than using a one-size-fits-all design.
At Shen Dental, Dr. Herbert Fisher can assess your teeth, bite and oral health to determine whether a dental sleep appliance may be appropriate for you.
A custom appliance can then be fitted and adjusted with comfort and function in mind.
What to Expect at Shen Dental
If you’re interested in a dental sleep appliance, your visit may include a discussion about your snoring or sleep apnea history, an examination of your teeth and bite, and an assessment of whether you’re a suitable candidate for an oral appliance.
If an appliance is appropriate, it can be custom fitted for your mouth, with follow-up appointments used to check the fit and make adjustments when necessary.
Is an Oral Appliance an Alternative to CPAP?
For some patients, an oral appliance may be considered as an alternative treatment option, particularly when CPAP isn’t tolerated. But it isn’t a universal replacement for CPAP.
Your sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment plan should involve the appropriate healthcare professionals. Shen Dental’s role is to help determine whether a dental appliance is suitable as part of that plan.
Concerned About Snoring or Sleep Apnea?
If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea or want to learn more about dental sleep appliances, contact Shen Dental in Vancouver to discuss whether an oral appliance may be appropriate for you.
Shen Dental is located at 3737 Oak Street, Unit 102, Vancouver, BC, and welcomes new patients.
Call (604) 566-7777 or request an appointment online.