CPAP Alternative
We offer a custom-designed oral appliance prescribed by your doctor to treat snoring or mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Although CPAP therapy is the gold standard, the appliance is also recommended for patients with more severe obstructive sleep apnea who are unable or unwilling to tolerate CPAP therapy and/or surgery. The two-piece appliance is designed to reduce snoring and symptoms of sleep apnea by keeping the upper airway open. The lower jaw is moved forward comfortably to relax the tissue at the back of the throat and prevent the base of the tongue from collapsing and blocking the airway.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Most people breathe easily throughout the night while sleeping. But those with this sleep disorder experience pauses in their breathing, causing them to wake up frequently and have other symptoms of sleep apnea. This can happen when air has trouble getting through airway passages due to abnormal structures, excess tissue, or other causes.
What Are Signs of It?
If you have this condition, you might have any of these symptoms:
- Snoring
- Sleepiness during the day
- Frequently waking up during the night
- Headaches when first waking up
- Dry throat in the morning
What Problems Can It Cause?
Sleep apnea can lead to all sorts of issues that affect your ability to function. Daytime drowsiness can make concentrating and remembering things hard to do. Driving and similar tasks can become dangerous for you to do while feeling sleepy.
This disorder can also cause other problems, such as higher risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, anxiety and weight gain.
When to Seek Treatment
If you’ve been showing signs of sleep apnea, the first step is to get a sleep study done. Here at Viewpoint Dentistry, we can get you set up with a home sleep test or recommend a sleep doctor in our area. If you have been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, you may be a candidate for an oral appliance.
We Bill Medical Insurance
We prior authorize and bill medical insurance for the custom oral sleep appliance, including Medicare.
