Treating Sleep Apnea – Windermere, FL
An Easy, Comfortable Treatment
If you have sleep apnea, chances are you’ve heard of a CPAP machine – a machine that opens up your airway so you can sleep. However, it also emits a loud droning noise that can prevent you from getting the rest you need. Fortunately, there are CPAP alternatives in Windermere – the best one being oral appliance therapy. This easy, comfortable treatment involves a device worn over your teeth or tongue to reposition your mouth, so your airways don’t collapse during the night. Continue reading below to learn more about how they work, and whether they’re the right treatment for you.
Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea
Oral appliances look similar to an athletic mouthguard – a tray worn over the teeth to protect them from injury during sports. Unlike CPAP machines, oral appliances are quiet, small, portable, and comfortable. In fact, studies have shown that they are even more successful at improving symptoms of sleep apnea in Windermere.
There are two main types of oral appliances to choose from:
- Mandibular Repositioning: This is the most common type of appliance used to treat sleep apnea. The lower jaw is positioned forward and downward. This keeps the airway open so tissues in your mouth and throat don’t collapse and block it during the night.
- Tongue Retaining: To prevent your tongue from blocking your airway, it is held down with a small compartment that fits snugly around your tongue. It uses gentle suction to hold it in position so that it does not fall back and block the airway.
After an initial consultation, we can determine which type of oral appliance best fits your needs. Your device will be custom fit to ensure maximum effectiveness and comfort. It will be fabricated from a flexible yet durable material, meaning it can deliver a good night’s sleep for years to come.
Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy
When compared to other treatments for sleep apnea in Windermere, oral appliance therapy offers several benefits, such as:
- Treatment approved by the FDA
- Recognized by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
- Custom-fit
- Easy to use
- Effective at treating mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea
- Easy to maintain and care for the appliance
Is an Oral Appliance Right for Me?
If you are ready to start getting a good night’s sleep again with oral appliance therapy, you need to first schedule a consultation with us at Windermere Dentistry. Contact us today to schedule your appointment. We look forward to helping you breathe easier at night and get the quality rest you deserve.