ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY
ORAL APPLIANCES Q & A
Are you one of the millions of Americans who sleep with the assistance of a CPAP machine? If you’re tired of dealing with this cumbersome piece of equipment, you may want to consider oral appliance therapy. At Snoring and Sleep Apnea Therapy LLC in Jupiter, Florida, Steven Burman, DMD, FAGD, MALD, D.ABDSM, proudly offers custom oral appliances to both men and women. To see if you’re a candidate for custom oral appliances, make an appointment by calling the office or clicking the online booking tool today.
What are oral appliances?
If you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it means the soft tissues at the back of your mouth relax during sleep, blocking your airways.
Ultimately, these blockages cause you to wake up multiple times throughout the night. Not only is this annoying, but it also increases your risk of serious health problems, including heart disease.
Custom oral appliances are a type of mouthguard designed to improve sleep and to reduce the loudness and frequency of snoring.
If you’re living with obstructive sleep apnea and you use a CPAP machine––but you aren’t satisfied with the results––an oral appliance may help you sleep (and breathe) more comfortably.
Are there different types of oral appliances?
At Snoring and Sleep Apnea Therapy LLC, Dr. Burman offers two different types of custom oral appliances:
Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD)
A mandibular advancement device looks similar to a sports mouthguard. These devices snap comfortably over your upper and lower arches and feature metal hinges that carefully push your lower jaw forward.
Depending on your unique symptoms, Dr. Burman might also recommend a Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP); this device allows you to control how far the device pushes your jaw forward.
Tongue-Retaining Devices
A tongue retaining device is a type of oral splint that holds your tongue in a certain position, preventing it from interfering with your airways. Tongue retaining devices aren’t as common as MADs.
What are the benefits of oral appliances?
Custom oral appliances present an array of benefits. For example, clinical studies show that people with sleep apnea are more likely to use a custom oral appliance than they are a CPAP machine.
In addition, oral appliances fit the unique curves of your teeth; you don’t have to wear a mask or turn a loud machine on to receive their benefits. Plus, custom oral appliances fit in a little plastic tray, making packing and transporting them easy.
What type of oral appliance is right for me?
To determine the type of oral appliance you’ll most benefit from, make an appointment with Dr. Burman at Snoring and Sleep Apnea Therapy LLC.
Following a review of your medical history and discussion of your symptoms, Dr. Burman can make treatment recommendations that align with your individual needs.
A better night’s rest starts here; request your appointment at Snoring and Sleep Apnea Therapy LLC by calling the office or clicking the online booking tool today.