Patients Using Dental Appliances For Sleep Apnea Can Experience Relief‏

By Ines Brennan

Patients experiencing the condition known as sleep apnea suffer from periods of shallow respiration or even no respiration while they are sleeping. Some patients are recommended to use a CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure), but this isn't appropriate for everyone. The use of dental appliances for sleep apnea is another approach which is simple and can also be effective for establishing normals respiratory patterns.

There are many types of appliances which can prevent sleep apnea which work in different ways. Some reposition the lower jaw while others hold the tongue in a forward position. Although such devices can be obtained rather easily, including ordering them online, it is always best to visit a dentist or orthodontist who specializes in this kind of treatment. They will be able to provide patients with custom-fitted appliances which are more effective than those which are ready to wear and not made to specifications.

A dental healthcare provider will make plaster molds of the patient's teeth. These impressions will be used to craft a device which takes into account the unique size and shape of the mouth. Ultimately a custom-made appliance will offer a higher level of effectiveness and more comfort.

There are also other evaluations that need to be done in order to ensure that the device is made to proper fit. Another set of molds will be made and sent to a laboratory where the appliance will be created. When the patient returns he or she will receive the apparatus and the dentist will perform any adjustments that may be needed for fit and comfort.

An apnea control apparatus is usually worn in a way similar to how a retainer is worn. It is typical for it to be slightly awkward-feeling at first, but this sensation usually goes away in time. If the patient finds that there is stiffness of discomfort in the jaw however, in particular the temporomandibular joint, this needs to be brought to the dentist's attention as it may be necessary to consider another approach. If someone already has TMJ they should probably use a different approach.

Over the course of wearing the apparatus, the jaw will gradually shift forward more, which is most notable after about six months of use. This occurs intentionally as to optimize the effectiveness of the appliance and the safety of its use.

The patient will also need to attend a sleep study session after several weeks of treatment. This is done to determine if the approach has successfully eliminated or reduced the occurrence of apnea. It is advisable to undergo this assessment in the same facility where the first diagnostic was carried out, in order to allow easier comparison of results.

Not everyone can or wants to use a CPAP machine to control this disorder. Dental appliances for sleep apnea are the ideal solution for such patients. One must be sure to visit a dental professional however, as to get the most suitable device for his or her unique mouth shape. In some instances, an appliance may need to be altered to increase its effectiveness.

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