If you suffer from sleep apnea your doctor may recommend one of several dental appliances. Dental appliances aren’t 100% effective for everyone, but many people do see some improvement, and considering the alternatives are expensive equipment and invasive surgery they are often worth a try. There are several different types of dental appliances that your doctor or sleep specialist may recommend.
One of the most common options for sleep apnea patients is the CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure machine. The CPAP forces air in and out of the lungs preventing any obstructions and interruption of breath to occur. CPAP machines are quite expensive and many patients find them uncomfortable due to the face mask that must be worn. Many of these people are excellent candidates for a dental appliance option, however bear in mind that the CPAP is often the best and most effective choice.
Most dental appliances used in sleep apnea therapy were originally designed as a stop-snoring aid. With a few advances in design they have been found to be a great option for many people suffering from mild to moderate sleep apnea. If you suffer from severe sleep apnea dental appliances are less likely to be effective enough and you may need to use either the CPAP or have surgery done.
While there are many different options for sleep apnea patients in regards to dental appliances, the two most popular are the splint and the mandibular advancement device (MAD). The splint works by keeping the tongue in a fairly flat state which prevents it from obstructing breath. The mandibular advancement forces the lower jaw back which keeps the airways wide open. Depending on the cause for your sleep apnea one of these dental appliances may be the perfect solution.
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