Do Dental Appliances Work for Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that can have serious effects on your health and quality of sleep. It’s characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. To treat sleep apnea, many people turn to dental appliances. But do they actually work? This article will cover the effectiveness of dental appliances in treating sleep apnea and other important considerations with this therapy option.

Sleep apnea affects over 18 million Americans, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. When left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to fatigue, memory difficulty, heart disease, and other serious health issues. Treatment—which may include lifestyle changes, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, or dental appliances—is often necessary to reduce sleep apnea symptoms. This article will focus specifically on the effectiveness of dental appliances in sleep apnea treatment and other important considerations when considering this option.

Do Dental Appliances Work for Sleep Apnea?

Dental appliances are a non-invasive therapy option designed to keep your airways open while you sleep. They’re typically made of plastic or acrylic and fit into the mouth like a mouthguard. Studies have found that these devices can be effective in reducing sleep apnea symptoms by moving the lower jaw forward, which helps to increase space at the back of the throat and reduces sleep-disruptive snoring and pauses in breathing.

Studies suggest that dental appliances are effective in treating sleep apnea in mild to moderate cases.

Are Dental Appliances Safe?

Dental appliances can be a safe sleep apnea therapy option for most people, but it’s important to discuss the potential risks with your doctor or dentist. For example, some people may experience tooth shifting or jaw pain from wearing the device continuously. It’s also important to make sure the device fits properly and is adjusted correctly by an experienced sleep specialist or dentist.

What to Expect When Using a Dental Appliance

When using a dental appliance to treat sleep apnea, it’s important to follow up regularly with your healthcare provider for adjustments and checkups. This will help ensure that the device is working properly and that sleep apnea symptoms are being adequately managed. You should also expect to sleep with the device every night, as this will help ensure its effectiveness.

What are Other Treatment Options Available?

If dental appliances aren’t effective in reducing sleep apnea symptoms, there are a few other treatment options available. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are one option that can be used to treat sleep apnea by pushing a continuous flow of air into the throat to prevent it from collapsing during sleep. Surgery may also be an option for people with severe sleep apnea who have not been able to find relief from lifestyle changes or other therapies.

Conclusion

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that can have long-term health consequences if left untreated. Dental appliances are an effective and relatively safe sleep apnea treatment option for mild to moderate sleep apnea cases, but it’s important to follow up regularly with your healthcare provider to ensure the device is working properly. If dental appliances are not sufficient in reducing sleep apnea symptoms, there are other treatments available, including CPAP machines and surgery.