Millions of people around the world suffer from sleep apnea, a common sleep problem. People who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can change their lives by finding a solution that works and is comfortable. Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) has become an effective, non-invasive way to treat sleep apnea that is also comfortable and easy to use.
Custom-Fitted Oral Device
Oral Appliance Therapy uses a custom-made mouthpiece that is worn at night. It looks like a sports helmet or an orthodontic retainer. The jaw and tongue are moved around with this device to keep the mouth open. This stops the breathing stops that are a sign of sleep apnea.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) tools can be big and noisy. Oral appliances, on the other hand, are small, portable, and simple to use. Because of these things, OAT is a good choice for people who want to sleep better but are having trouble.
Mild to Moderate OSA Patients
The main job of a mouth appliance is to keep the airway open. The device keeps the muscles and tissues in the throat from closing while you sleep by moving the lower jaw or holding the tongue in place. This makes sure that airflow is easier, which stops snoring and makes sleep better for people with OSA.
Oral Appliance Therapy works especially well for people with mild to moderate OSA. A qualified dentist or sleep expert prescribes it and fits it to the person. They look at how bad the problem is and make changes to the device to fit the person’s needs.
Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy
Comfort and Convenience They are small, comfortable, and light, and oral tools are easy to wear. They don’t need tubes, electricity, or masks like bulky CPAP machines do, so you can sleep more comfortably.
Portability The oral device is small and light, so it’s easy to carry and great for people who move a lot.
Improved Compliance A lot of people with OSA have trouble sticking to their CPAP treatment because it hurts or makes too much noise. On the other hand, patients are more likely to keep up with oral tools because they are less invasive.
Reduced Snoring Oral appliances can help stop snoring by keeping the mouth open. This is good for both the person who is snoring and their sleep partner.
Customized Fit Each mouth appliance is custom made for each patient’s teeth, making sure that it fits securely and effectively for the best results.
Benefit from Oral Appliance Therapy
People with mild to moderate OSA or people who can’t handle CPAP machines should try oral appliance therapy. Also, it works great for people who snore but don’t have sleep apnea.
But it’s important to talk to a sleep expert to figure out the best way to treat the problem. An in-depth sleep study and review will help figure out how bad the problem is and whether OAT is the best option.
Is Oral Appliance Therapy Right for You?
Sleep apnea may be the cause of your tiredness during the day, loud snoring, or waking up often at night. You can get better sleep and better health generally with oral appliance therapy, which works well and doesn’t hurt.
Oral appliances look like a good choice for people with OSA who want an alternative to CPAP treatment that is more comfortable and easier to use. By getting to the root cause of blocked airways, this treatment can make sleep and life quality a lot better.
