If you have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea or think you may suffer from Sleep Apnea, it is crucial to your health and well-being to seek proper treatment.

There are 3 Main treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

CPAP

CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. It is a machine that uses mild pressure to keep the breathing airways open during sleep. A CPAP machine includes a mask that fits over just your nose or both your nose and mouth, straps to hold the mask on your face, a tube that connects the mask to the CPAP machine, and a motor that blows air into the tube.

This image shows the CPAP machine with a nose-only mask.

CPAP is the standard treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. However, many patients can’t or won’t tolerate wearing the device nightly. Studies show that approximately 83% of CPAP patients quit wearing the device completely or are inconsistent with use.

When a patient cannot tolerate CPAP, or refuse to use it, this is referred to as CPAP intolerance or CPAP failure.

CPAP failure is often caused by issues outside of your control:

  • Seasonal allergies or ongoing congestion
  • Nasal, sinus or upper palate issues (such as a deviated septum)
  • Skin irritation on face
  • Nasal irritation, dryness or bleeding
  • Claustrophobia or sensation of suffocation
  • Respiratory infections
  • Abdominal bloating & gas
  • Noise of machine disturbs sleep (or partner’s sleep)
  • Difficulty travelling with device

These and other issues make CPAP failure common for many obstructive sleep apnea sufferers.

Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD)

Fortunately, there are some CPAP alternatives. A Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) is an oral appliance or mouthpiece, that keeps your airway open while you sleep. MADs work by pulling your lower jaw (mandible) forward. This forward jaw movement also pulls your tongue forward, creating more space for airflow in the back of your throat. You can see below how the lower jaw is pulled forward with the oral device, allowing oxygen to flow in the airway.

You can see here how the lower jaw is pulled forward with the oral device, allowing oxygen to flow in the airway.

MADs usually come in two parts, one that fits over your upper teeth and one that fits over your lower teeth. The upper and lower parts are attached with screws, hinges or adapted rubber bands, which cause the needed forward lower jaw movement. Some MADs have independent interchangeable arches that don’t physically connect. There are hundreds of MADS that are approved by the FDA, Medicare, as well as private medical insurances for treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. **MADs are the only sleep apnea treatment we provide at Hughes Family Dental.

Mandibular Advancement Appliances come in many options, based on the patient’s needs. The following are 3 examples of Oral Appliances we offer at Hughes Family Dental:

There are many benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea:

  • No noise from machines or in-mask breathing
  • Easy to clean
  • Small and portable
  • Convenient for travel
  • No electricity required
  • Comfortable and easy to use
  • Reduce or prevent bruxism (grinding)
  • No hoses to get tangled in during sleep
  • No mask to cause skin irritations
  • No feelings of claustrophobia

There are some instances where oral appliances should not be used for sleep apnea? People with central sleep apnea, where the brain doesn’t send signals to breath, cannot be treated with MADs. Children with breathing issues often need different treatments than adults. Only use an oral appliance if your child’s healthcare provider recommends it. People with severe OSA usually need CPAP treatment, or a combination of CPAP and MAD. It can be very dangerous to treat otherwise. Follow your healthcare provider’s guidance on when it’s safe to use an oral appliance and when it isn’t.

Inspire Implantable Device

The Inspire Device is an implanted device that treats obstructive sleep apnea by stimulating airway muscles. The implanted device is implanted in the chest and a nerve stimulator is implanted in the chin. The Inspire then monitors breathing and delivers nerve pulses to the tongue, stimulating it to stay out of the airway. The Inspire device is suitable for moderate to severe OSA cases, that have not responded to other treatments. The Inspire treatment involves surgery and should be evaluated by healthcare professionals.

Benefits of Treating Sleep Apnea

Avoid the health risks caused by untreated sleep apnea and live a longer, healthier, more enjoyable life. Treating Sleep Apnea properly has many benefits, both short and long term.

  1. Enhanced sleep quality
    By preventing the frequent awakenings and disruptions that occur with sleep apnea, proper treatment leads to more restorative rest, helping you wake up feeling refreshed. Quality sleep is essential for physical and mental health.
  2. Increased energy & Daytime alertness
    Untreated sleep apnea can leave you fatigued all the time. There can be a constant need to fall asleep. Effective treatment reduces daytime fatigue, boosts energy levels, and keeps you alert and focused throughout the day.
  3. Improved Heart health
    Sleep Apnea causes repeated interruptions in breathing throughout the night. This leads to fluctuations in blood pressure and oxygen levels, and places major stress on the cardiovascular system. Appropriate Sleep Apnea treatment helps maintain proper oxygen levels and blood pressure. This reduces the strain on the heart and blood vessels, thus reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
  4. Improved Brain Health
    The oxygen deprivation to the brain, associated with Sleep Apnea, increases the risk of Dementia, Depression, and Cognitive decline. Effective treatment ensures continuous oxygen flow to the brain, lowering the risk of these brain disorders, as well as helping maintain good mental health.
  5. Regulated Hormones and Improved Metabolism
    Proper sleep facilitates the release of essential hormones that regulate glucose and metabolism. Addressing sleep apnea can lead to significant improvements in hormonal balance and metabolic issues.
  6. Improved sexual health and intimacy
    According to research, about half of the men with Sleep Apnea also suffer from Erectile Dysfunction. This is due to the associated low testosterone levels. Treating sleep apnea and snoring can enhance sexual health by improving hormone levels, as well as increasing intimacy by allowing couples to share a bedroom again.

Request a free Sleep Apnea Consultation here