Dental Treatment of Sleep Apnea
Oral Appliance Therapy
At this point, you’re probably asking yourself, “How can a dentist help me treat my sleep apnea?” Sleep dentists such as Dr. J. Lee Pettigrew have an extensive knowledge when it comes to facial anatomy, and using this, they can fabricate customized-mouthpiece that will prevent a patient’s airway from becoming blocked while they sleep. This approach is commonly known as oral appliance therapy.
Oral appliance therapy works by gently moving the lower jaw forward and holding it in place to keep a patient’s airway open throughout the night. This treatment method has been well researched and has been found to be just as effective as CPAP therapy in treating patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Additionally, patients tend to be more compliant when using their oral appliance and report a significantly higher level of comfort.
Every oral appliance is custom-made to fit onto a patient’s particular teeth, assuring that their treatment will be completely comfortable. The materials used are durable, high-quality, and won’t discolor or attract unwanted smells. They are so flexible, in fact, that a patient will actually be able to speak and drink normally while wearing their appliance. With this, a patient can finally treat their sleep apnea without having to deal with a bulky and noisy CPAP machine.
Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea and need treatment?
Are you sick and tired of dealing with your CPAP machine?
In both cases, Dr. Pettigrew can help with oral appliance therapy, and to see if it could work for you, simply contact our office for an appointment.