Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) for Sleep Apnea

Oral appliances for the treatment of sleep apnea continue to increase in popularity for many sleep apnea sufferers.  Over 100 different oral appliances are FDA approved for the treatment of sleep apnea.  These appliances are worn in the mouth, just like a sports mouth guard or an orthodontic appliance while sleeping.  Oral appliances hold the lower jaw forward just enough to keep the airway open and prevent the tongue and muscles in the upper airway from collapsing and blocking the airway. Two common oral appliances are the mandibular repositioning device and the tongue retaining device.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has approved Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) as the first line treatment for patients diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea. The AASM also recommends oral appliances for patients with severe sleep apnea, who are unable to tolerate or cannot wear Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices, or as additional help when using a CPAP device.

For more information on Oral Appliances contact Dr. Lee and her team today.

www.glendorasleep.com

                                           

Positive airway

Positive airway pressure devices are the most widely used treatment for Moderate and Severe Sleep Apnea. They have been endorsed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).  CPAP machine delivers air pressure through a mask placed over the nose during sleep.  With CPAP, the air pressure is greater than that of the surrounding air, and is just enough to keep the upper airway passages open and prevents apnea and snoring.

CPAP is the most common and reliable method of treating sleep apnea, but some people find it cumbersome and uncomfortable. There are different types of masks and it may take some time to find one that fits well, but for some it is just intolerable and it is for those patients that we have the answer.

CPAP treatment may also cause side effects in some patients.  These side effects include a dry or stuffy nose, irritated skin on the face, dry mouth and headaches.  If CPAP is not adjusted properly, patients may get stomach bloating and discomfort while wearing the mask.

Dr. Anna Lee, a dentist trained in sleep apnea, can assist you with treatment by determining if you are a candidate for an oral dental device and then creating your custom appliance for therapy.  Dr. Lee conducts a full evaluation of your teeth, mouth, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to ensure that your teeth and jaw structure are healthy enough to wear an oral appliance. Following the examination, you will have models of your teeth made and a follow-up appointment is scheduled to fit your custom appliance.                 

Call Dr. Anna Lee at 626-335-5114 for more information.