What is OSA?
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive sleep apnea (or OSA) occurs when your muscles relax during sleep, allowing the soft tissues to collapse and block the airway. This is frequently accompanied by loud and frequent snoring, or even pauses in breathing. This can occur for anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute, and can happen up to hundreds of times per night.
How do I know if I have obstructive sleep apnea?
Common symptoms include loud, frequent snoring; breathing pauses or gasping for air; excessive daytime sleepiness, or the ability to fall asleep anywhere; acid reflux; high blood pressure; morning headaches; waking up multiple times per night to use the bathroom.
To know for sure if you have obstructive sleep apnea, we can work with your doctor to get a diagnosis. This will often require a sleep study. If you don’t have a doctor already, don’t worry. We work with many doctors and can help you with a referral.
What is OAT?
What is Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)?
Oral appliance therapy (OAT) is an effective, non-invasive treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that fits easily into your lifestyle. It uses a mouthguard-like device worn while you sleep to keep your jaw in the best position and help you breathe easily. Whether you snore or have OSA, this prevents the airway from becoming obstructed at night and helps relieve your symptoms.
Many types of oral appliances are available, and I will work with you to design and custom-fit the perfect appliance for your needs. Our custom designs help us deliver maximum comfort and symptom relief.
Benefits of OAT
What are the benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)?
Patients like our oral appliances because they are comfortable, easy to wear, quiet, portable, convenient for travel, and easy to clean.
The traditionally prescribed treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. It involves sleeping with a facemask connected by tubing to a constantly running machine. Although CPAP is effective, up to half of patients don’t adhere to the treatment. We’re able to provide an alternative with oral appliance therapy.
- Comfort - It can be hard to sleep with a CPAP machine and a bulky facemask. Patients often like oral appliances because they are comfortable and easier to wear, especially for those who change positions during sleep or snuggle their bed partner.
Traditional CPAP Therapy
Sleeping with oral appliance therapy
- Quiet - A CPAP machine may silence the snoring, but its constantly running motor might make it difficult for you or your partner to sleep soundly. Oral appliance therapy is a silent option that can minimize the symptoms of sleep apnea and loud snoring without making a peep of its own.
- Easy Travel - It can be difficult to travel with a bulky CPAP machine. A compact, lightweight oral appliance can help lessen your load.
- Low-maintenance - It is super easy to care for an oral appliance. Just a toothbrush cleaning with mild soap will keep your appliance germ-free.
- Effective Treatment - Research shows that oral appliance therapy is an effective alternative to CAPA. When patients consistently wear their oral appliance, they wake up each morning feeling refreshed, and so do their partners!
Risks of NOT Treating OSA
What are the risks of NOT treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Ignoring your disease should not be an option!
If left untreated, sleep apnea can be a potentially life threatening condition. It can increase the risk for other serious health problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, and impotence.
In addition to these health risks, due to daytime sleepiness and lower alertness levels you may be at a higher risk of car accidents, workplace mishaps, or even accidents around the home. Some studies have shown that those with untreated OSA died years earlier than those receiving treatment.