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Obstructive Sleep Apnea - How Do Oral Devices Help? |
Sleep Apnea is a common disorder that not enough patients seek treatment for. The fear of surgery, or needing to sleep with bulky machinery scares many people into not getting help. There are other solutions. Our team at Hillsboro Dental Center can provide you options that can reduce snoring and assist in opening your airway while you sleep. Dr. John T. Roberts and Dr. Cheryl Hansen can examine your needs, and together, we can create a plan for you, helping you get a better night’s rest.
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Sleep apnea can be a medical issue, with the most common form being Obstructive Sleep Apnea, OSA. Patients suffering from OSA have periods in the night when they are not able to get the necessary level of oxygen needed to their brain, causing them to gasp awake, disturbing their sleep. This small lack of oxygen repeated throughout the night, over a period, can cause significant effects on the patient’s health. Also, the continuous disruption in your sleep, though you may not be aware of awakening, can take its toll on your mental and physical health.
Besides surgical procedures and sleeping with a CPAP machine, there is another option. Dr. John T. Roberts and Dr. Cheryl Hansen can customize a dental device that fits in your mouth, similar to a mouthguard, to wear while you sleep.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Known as oral appliance therapy, this treatment has been found to be an effective option to open your airway and help you get the oxygen you need while you sleep.
Dr. John T. Roberts and Dr. Cheryl Hansen can customize this device to fit precisely in your mouth, helping it be comfortable while you wear it. The appliance supports your jaw in a forward position, pulling your tongue slightly forward to stop it from slipping back toward your throat closing your airway. This will help you maintain an open upper airway while you sleep. Studies have shown that wearing a dental device is an effective treatment option for patients who suffer from OSA, and it will also reduce snoring.
The advantages of Oral Appliance Therapy include:
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Fits comfortably in your mouth. It’ |
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s not bulky, and it does not have tubes or cords coming from it. The dental appliance fits easily and wears comfortably because it is customized to fit you and your bite. |
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A dental device is small, compact, and easy to travel with. The size of a retainer, you keep your device in a small container, making it easy to transport wherever you need. |
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A dental device is silent. Unlike a CPAP, there is no machine, no noise, you are not inconveniencing your partner. |
Many people find that once they start treating their snoring or OSA using an oral appliance that they quickly feel like a new person. Often they find that the symptoms were making more of an impact on their day than they realized. Once you are sleeping better, you will feel more energetic and sharper in your day.
For more information on obstructive sleep apnea, and how you can easily improve your sleep, contact Dr. John T. Roberts and Dr. Cheryl Hansen at our Hillsboro office. Our front office staff is happy to answer your questions and assist you in scheduling an appointment. (503) 648-2829.
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Hillsboro Dental Center
Dr. John T. Roberts and Dr. Cheryl Hansen
Partnering with Dr. Philip Cronin
4440 NE Cornell Rd.
Hillsboro, OR 97124
503-648-3125
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