If you haven’t been able to use a CPAP machine for the successful treatment of sleep apnea, consider scheduling an appointment at Osborne Family Dental in North Canton, Ohio, to discuss an alternative sleep apnea treatment.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Quite simply, sleep apnea is the occurrence or multiple occurrences of abnormally long pauses in breathing while you are asleep. Usually, these pauses will occur several times over the course of the night—sometimes several times an hour. Breathing resumes after each pause with a loud snoring or snorting sound or with an exaggerated gasping for breath. Most patients don’t remember each occurrence; but because these pauses disturb normal sleep patterns, sleep quality is greatly reduced. The telltale symptom of
sleep apnea is chronic daytime tiredness after a seemingly normal night’s sleep. The National Institutes of Health report that, despite the fact that sleep apnea is a common condition, it often goes undiagnosed.
Why is a CPAP Machine Used to Treat Sleep Apnea?
Many if not most cases of sleep apnea are caused by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Obstructive sleep apnea is the occurrence of abnormally long pauses in breathing during sleep due to a blockage of the airway. Breathing pauses because the airway has relaxed and collapsed, blocking air from reaching the lungs. Until the deoxygenated blood in your system triggers contractions of the diaphragm muscle to force open the pharynx, breathing will not resume. A CPAP machine counteracts OSA by providing Controlled Positive Airway Pressure—by keeping the airway open with forced air. Sleep apnea treatment with a CPAP machine is considered to be the best treatment for OSA.
Why Might an Alternative Sleep Apnea Treatment be Necessary?
Unfortunately, not all sufferers of OSA tolerate CPAP machines. Treatment with a CPAP requires that you wear a tight-fitting nasal mask connected by a tube to the machine on a bedside table or shelf. You must sleep with your mouth closed or the forced air will escape from your open mouth, rendering treatment ineffective. While the machine itself is relatively quiet and not likely to disturb the sleep of others in the same room, the forced air through your airway is internally loud, reducing your ability to hear clearly and sometimes keeping you awake. Not everyone can adjust to being attached to a machine for the duration of the night. Sleep lost to discomfort rather than to interruptions in breathing is often remembered, making the treatment of sleep apnea with CPAP a frustrating experience.
What Alternative Sleep Apnea Treatment Does Osborne Family Dental Recommend?
Dr. Osborne and his professional staff highly encourage the use of CPAP if it has been prescribed for the treatment of your OSA. However, our dental team understands that you may not tolerate the use of a CPAP machine. An alternative sleep apnea treatment is a dental mouth guard or oral appliance. In fact, oral appliance therapy (OAT) has been shown to be a surprisingly effective alternative treatment to OSA because it works by preventing the jaw from falling backward during sleep. OAT keeps your airway open during sleep, allowing you to breathe normally all night long.
Contact Osborne Family Dental
If you have been unable to tolerate a CPAP machine, contact us. Dr. Osborne and his knowledgeable staff will work with you to determine the best OAT for your sleep apnea. Don’t wait any longer. You can get a good night’s sleep!
Visit us at:
901 Schneider Street SE,
North Canton, Ohio 44720
Call: 330.499.1066
Office Hours:
Mon-Thurs: 8am - 5:30pm
