Dental Appliance for Sleep Apnea
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a potentially debilitating condition characterized by
shallow or infrequent breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea occurs when the
muscles supporting the soft palate relax, allowing the airway to narrow and
close as you breathe in. It causes sufferers to snore loudly, choke, and
gasp during sleep, leaving them (and those closest to them) feeling
exhausted during the day. Conditions that have been linked to sleep apnea
include high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and impaired
concentration.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Along with complaints from those closest to you, the following are sleep
apnea symptoms to be aware of:
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Waking frequently with the need to urinate
- Feeling fatigued throughout the day
- Weight gain
- Attention problems
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headaches
- Depression
Dental Appliance for Sleep Apnea
At Smith Smiles Family Dentistry, Dr. Smith addresses sleep apnea symptoms
and snoring with a removable, dental appliance for sleep apnea (an oral
appliance similar to a mouthpiece) that stabilizes the tongue and
repositions the jaw. This allows for normal mouth opening and closing, as
well as normal airflow, giving you immediate relief from sleep apnea
symptoms. Though the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device is
the gold standard for treating mild to severe sleep apnea, our treatment is
far less invasive and is ideal for patients who can’t tolerate the CPAP or
who suffer from mild sleep apnea. Dental sleep appliances are easy to use
and require little to no change in your lifestyle.
Are Dental Sleep Appliances Safe?
Your dental appliance for sleep apnea will be custom fitted to your mouth.
It will not cause excessive discomfort, but there might be an adjustment
period while you get used to sleeping with it. Dr. Smith will fit the
appliance to your mouth and can make adjustments as needed.
Sleep Apnea Dental Device Cost
Most insurance plans will cover the cost of these appliances if they are
for treating sleep apnea. In addition, dental appliances for sleep apnea are
far more cost-effective than CPAP machines or surgical procedures. Contact
your specific insurance provider if you have questions about what is
covered.
FAQ
If I snore, does that mean I have sleep apnea?
Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Snoring that is not associated
with sleep apnea does not result in extreme fatigue.
What are common signs of sleep apnea?
Loud snoring and long pauses between breaths while sleeping are the most
recognizable signs of sleep apnea.
Do I have to sleep with a machine if I have sleep apnea?
Oral appliances are an effective alternative to the CPAP device, which can
be very disruptive and uncomfortable for both the individual suffering from
sleep apnea as well as their partner.
Why TAP Sleep Care System Is Right for You
The louder you snore, the happier your marriage will be. Said no one ever!
The fact of the matter is that there’s a lot more to snoring that could
keep you up at night. Sleep-related dental problems TAP FAQ such as GERD (heartburn/acid reflux)
and bruxism (teeth grinding) may be signs of more serious health risks
including stroke, heart disease, arrhythmias, and esophageal cancer. But
wait, there’s more, because there are proven links between missing out on
sleep and other health risks, like depression, memory loss, hypertension,
and weight gain. Who doesn’t love to gain weight, right?
But there’s an answer that’s so simple you’ll kick yourself for not trying
it sooner. TAP Sleep Care from Airway Management effectively treats the
full spectrum of sleep-disordered breathing, offering you a holistic, more
intelligent approach to your well-being that can dramatically improve your
quality of life.
Snore No More!
Yes, snoring can be a disruption in the bedroom, and fixing it can do the
work of a dozen marriage counselors. But how can TAP help? The Thornton
Adjustable Positioner, or TAP, is a patented mandibular (lower jaw)
advancement device specifically engineered for keeping your airway open
while you sleep.
What makes the TAP so innovative is the single-point, midline advancement
mechanism. This technology not only allows you to advance your lower jaw
with greater range than any other device, it also makes it incredibly
comfortable and easy to adjust your device while it’s in your mouth. TAP
Sleep Care lets you take ownership of your therapy by achieving optimal
results on a gradual, night-by-night basis.
Of course we think our oral appliances are amazing, but the great news is
that the experts agree. TAP has shown in numerous independent peer-reviewed
studies to be superior and more effective than any other appliance on the
market. In fact, it’s the only device proven to be equivalent to CPAP1.
How to Get a Sleep Appliance
If you are an existing patient who still has trouble sleeping, even after
using a CPAP or other oral appliance, talk to Dr. Smith about which TAP
Sleep Care device is right for you. If you’ve never used CPAP before and
are new to oral appliances, *getting started is easy, just follow these
simple steps:
1. Consultation
It all starts with seeing Dr. Smith for a consultation to see if an oral
sleep appliance is right for you.
2. Sleep Test/Screening
After your consultation, you may be referred to a sleep physician for a
sleep test. A diagnosis of sleep apnea is generally required by most
insurance companies for your TAP custom oral appliance to be covered.
If you don’t want to have a sleep test and would prefer to just be treated
for snoring, talk to Dr. Smith about using myTAP
3. Selecting a TAP Sleep Care product that is right for you, whether it’s a
CPAP or an oral appliance.
Depending on your level of sleep apnea (mild, moderate, severe), your
doctor and Dr. Smith can help determine which therapy is right for you, whether CPAP or oral appliances
- Oral appliance (myTAP or customTAP) are great for mild to moderate
sleep apnea
- CPAP (TAP PAP CS and myTAP PAP) is best for severe OSA
4. Scan and fitting
Dr. Smith will take a scan of your teeth to ensure a proper fit.
5. Follow-up visit
You will schedule a follow-up visit to make sure that your TAP oral
appliance still fits well
flexTap
Back