Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that requires effective, immediate treatment. The gold standard of treatment is the CPAP machine, but some sleep apnea patients can instead use a sleep apnea guard. This mouth-guard like device is custom-made, tailored for maximum comfort while sleeping.
You should always confer with your sleep physician first, but you may be eligible for a sleep apnea guard if you meet the following requirements.
Having Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is categorized into three types: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea.
- Obstructive apnea involves soft tissue of the mouth and throat relaxing and restricting the airway, causing pauses in breathing.
- Central sleep apnea is caused by your brain not sending proper signals to the muscles which control breathing.
- Complex apnea refers to cases where symptoms of both obstructive and central apnea occur.
A sleep apnea guard only treats obstructive sleep apnea; the guard’s sole purpose is to position the lower jaw in order to create more room in the throat, preventing the obstruction of the airway. Central and complex apnea require different treatments.
Having a Mild or Moderate Case
Sleep apnea guards are useful only in minor and moderate sleep apnea cases. The lower jaw and tongue can only be moved so far, leaving severe and some moderate apnea cases untreatable by this oral device. If your case of sleep apnea is too severe to treat with a sleep apnea guard, you might have to use a CPAP machine.
However, your comfort is still factored into CPAP treatment. You can enhance your comfort by choosing the right mask to fit onto the CPAP machine. Different types of masks fit onto your face in different ways. You can work with a sleep physician or dentist trained in sleep apnea treatments to determine which style of mask best fits you.
Contact Us for Sleep Apnea Treatments
Stony Brook Dental Care provides sleep apnea devices in Jeffersontown, Hurstbourne, Douglas Hills, and other nearby neighborhoods in Louisville. As one of the few dentists in Louisville, KY with additional training in sleep apnea treatments, Dr. Michael Barnett is able to work with your sleep physician to develop an effective, comfortable treatment plan for your needs. To learn more, call our practice today!