At Maple Park Dental Care we care about your overall health and that includes making sure you get the restful sleep you need. Loud snoring is often a sign of a sleep disorder, especially Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Sleep apnea is more than just a nightly annoyance, it can be serious. That’s why we offer Oral Appliance Therapy in Naperville to help you breathe easier and sleep all night. Our team will walk you through the process every step of the way.
What is Oral Appliance Therapy?
Oral Appliance Therapy is a non-surgical treatment to manage sleep apnea using oral appliances which are better than CPAP therapy. This treatment involves a custom-fit oral appliance similar to a mouth guard or orthodontic retainer. The appliance gently moves your lower jaw and tongue to prevent airway obstruction and you can breathe freely all night. This is especially good for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) the most common type of sleep apnea where the airway is blocked during sleep due to relaxed throat muscles.
Conditions Treated with Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral Appliance Therapy is for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring. Patients with mild to moderate OSA get great results. Also for patients who can’t tolerate CPAP or prefer a less invasive treatment. Severe sleep apnea may require a different treatment than mild or moderate.
The Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral Appliance Therapy offers numerous benefits for patients suffering from sleep apnea:
- Improved Sleep Quality: By keeping your airway open the appliance reduces interruptions in your breathing so you sleep more restfully and uninterrupted.
- Daytime Alertness: With better sleep at night you’ll feel less sleepy during the day and more focused and energized.
- Lowered Health Risks: Treating sleep apnea with an oral appliance can reduce your risk of serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
- Enhanced Comfort: The custom fit means the appliance is comfortable to wear so it’s easy to add to your nightly routine.
- Reduced Snoring: By keeping your airway open the appliance can reduce or eliminate snoring which is a source of frustration for you and your sleep partner.
The Process for Getting Fitted for an Oral Appliance
At Maple Park Dental Care we follow a step-by-step process to ensure your Oral Appliance Therapy is effective:
- Initial Consultation: During your first visit we will go over your symptoms, and medical history and determine if Oral Appliance Therapy is right for you. This is also a chance to ask any questions you may have about the treatment.
- Sleep Study: If you haven’t already had a sleep study we may recommend one. An overnight sleep study or sleep test, done at home or in a sleep center, is necessary to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It measures the frequency of panic events during sleep and provides the data needed to determine the severity of the condition so we can tailor the treatment to you.
- Custom Fitting: Once we determine an oral appliance is right for you we will take precise measurements and impressions of your teeth and mouth to create a custom-fit appliance that is both effective and comfortable.
- Appliance Delivery and Fitting: When your appliance is ready we will make sure it fits perfectly and give you instructions on how to use and care for it. We’ll also schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments.
- Follow-Up Care: Regular check-ins are crucial to ensure the therapy is working. We will monitor your progress and make adjustments to the appliance if needed to ensure long-term success in managing your sleep apnea.
Our Dental Team’s Expertise
Our team at Maple Park Dental Care is trained and experienced in Oral Appliance Therapy. Our dentists know sleep disorders inside out and are here to help. We keep up to date with the latest in dental sleep medicine so you get the best treatment. Your health and comfort is our number one priority and we will help you sleep better and be healthier.
You will need to work with a sleep specialist to diagnose sleep apnea and treatment options. Together sleep specialists and dentists can give you a tailored service.