520-663-0419
The most common type of treatment for sleep apnea is the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. However, while CPAP is the gold standard in managing sleep apnea and can provide excellent long-term results, many people find that they cannot tolerate this type of treatment due to the masks, discomfort and noises involved in it. Dr. Brett Barney and Dr. Jonathan Hall offer oral appliance therapy as an alternative solution to help you breathe easily at night and get the rest you need.
Oral appliance therapy works by gently moving and adjusting the position of your jaw while the appliance is worn. This moves the tongue forward and tightens the soft tissues of the throat, preventing them from vibrating, keeping the airways open and creating better muscle tone in the area so that you can breathe easily and naturally throughout the night so that you can enjoy a safe, soundless sleep.
Benefits of oral appliance therapy include:
- No noise from a CPAP machine
- No loud in-mask breathing sounds
- Your appliance is easy to clean and travel with
- No electricity is required for use
- Your appliance is custom-designed to fit comfortably
- No risk of tangling, irritations or claustrophobia from a mask
We strongly recommend that you use a custom-made appliance created by our dentists if you receive this type of treatment. While there are a number of oral appliances and gadgets advertised “over the counter,” the fact is that sleep apnea is a serious medical condition and requires treatments from sleep physicians and doctors trained in providing this type of appliance. We will need to monitor the effectiveness of your oral appliance over time as well as carefully evaluate your bite, gums and jaw joint to help ensure your appliance is beneficial for you. The appliance itself may need occasional adjustments to ensure that it is functioning properly and providing you with the best possible results.
For more information about oral appliance therapy in Tucson, Arizona, and to schedule a consultation with our caring dentists, please contact Desert Dental Group today at 520-663-0419.