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Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

There are a number of factors that can cause a person to develop sleep apnea. Some are behavioral choices, such as:

weight scale

  •  Sleep Position
  •  Eating large or fatty meals near bedtime
  •  Consuming alcohol or caffeine near bedtime

Others are physical factors. They include:

  •  Excess weight
  •  Deviated septum or partially blocked nasal passages
  •  Excess soft tissue and/or poor muscle tone within the throat
  •  Tongue movement that causes airway blockages

Just as there are numerous cases of sleep apnea, there are a number of ways that sleep apnea can be treated, and no single solution is right for all patients.

Lifestyle changes may be sufficient to help some with milder cases of sleep apnea, but more acute cases will often require medical intervention. For a number of years, one of the most commonly prescribed devices for the treatment of sleep apnea has been the CPAP machine.

CPAP Therapy Treatment Options

  •  CPAP uses a bedside air pump and facemask to deliver pressurized air to the sleeper
  •  This pressurized air helps keep the throat open to allow regulated airflow
  •  CPAP has a good rate of success when properly adjusted and used faithfully
  •  A significant portion of CPAP users report discomfort with the equipment
  •  Up to half of all CPAP users discontinue treatment within one to six months

Many sleep medicine professionals still consider CPAP to be the best choice for persons with moderate to severe sleep apnea conditions, while acknowledging that the high dropout rates pose a problem. For those who are unable to tolerate CPAP therapy, the most viable alternative comes from the field of dental sleep medicine in the form of oral appliances.

Oral Appliance Therapy

  •  Oral appliances for sleep are worn inside the mouth, much like a sports mouth guard
  •  They are constructed from a durable yet comfortable thermoplastic
  •  The most common type of oral appliance holds the lower jaw forward to help keep the throat open
  •  Most users find oral appliances to be more comfortable than CPAP, and are more likely to continue use
  •  This higher acceptance rate gives oral appliances a similar overall rate of success as CPAP

oral appliances options

Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy

Because of their higher rate of acceptance by patients, oral appliances are considered the best alternative method of treatment for those who cannot tolerate CPAP. In addition, they are increasingly gaining popularity as a first-line treatment option for many persons diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea. Users cite a number of additional benefits to oral appliances. These include:

  •  Discrete, with no complex bedside hardware
  •  Easy to clean and maintain, with no filters or masks to replace
  •  Does not require electricity or special bedside accommodation
  •  Easy to pack and ideal for travel

Choosing the best treatment option for your individual sleep apnea condition is best done with the assistance and advice of medicine professionals such as Dr. Baysac. Oral appliances should be custom fitted, and administered only through an accredited and experienced dental sleep medicine professional. To learn more, please feel free to contact our office.

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Baysac Dental Sleep Therapy | Dr. Mary Anne Baysac

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Baysac Dental Sleep Therapy

Dr. Mary Anne Baysac

Office: 4200 California St Ste 210, San Francisco, CA 94118

Phone: 415.668.0526

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Baysac Dental Sleep Solutions