Treat Sleep Apnea in Comfort: Our Customized Dental Appliances Work Like a Dream

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects an estimated 936 million people worldwide. Although it’s common, it doesn’t make it any less serious. Untreated, sleep apnea can have serious implications for both your health and quality of life. 

Fortunately, various treatment options are available, including dental appliances. Here at Urbandale Smiles, our team of providers offers customized dental appliances as part of our holistic view of dental care. 

Read on as we explore how our customized dental appliances can treat sleep apnea and help you achieve a restful night's sleep.

Understanding sleep apnea 

Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep. These pauses 一 known as apneas 一 can last for several seconds and occur multiple times throughout the night. Sleep apnea may be categorized as:

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Central sleep apnea
• Combination (a combination of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea)

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea, and it happens when your throat muscles relax too much. This excess tissue can temporarily obstruct your airway.

Central sleep apnea, on the other hand, isn’t caused by excess or loose throat tissue. Instead, it occurs when your brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing. 

Regardless of the type, sleep apnea disrupts your normal sleep cycle, leading to daytime drowsiness, fatigue, and a host of other health issues.

The role of dental appliances 

Dental appliances, also known as oral appliances or mandibular advancement devices, are custom-made and can help treat obstructive sleep apnea. These appliances work by repositioning your lower jaw and tongue to keep the airway open while you sleep. When your airway is kept open, the frequency of apneas decreases.

Advantages of dental appliances

When it comes to treating obstructive sleep apnea, consider a custom dental appliance for the following reasons:

Comfort

Dental appliances offer a comfortable alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, which are commonly used to treat sleep apnea. CPAP machines involve wearing a mask over your nose and/or mouth during sleep, which many people find to be cumbersome and restrictive. Dental appliances, in contrast, are discreet, lightweight, and don’t require external apparatus.

Customized fit

Our dental appliances are customized to fit your mouth perfectly. They are designed based on impressions and measurements of your teeth and jaw. This tailored fit ensures optimal comfort and effectiveness in treating your sleep apnea.

Improved sleep quality

By keeping your airway open, dental appliances promote uninterrupted breathing, reducing or eliminating the apneas that disrupt your sleep. As a result, you can experience improved sleep quality, wake up feeling refreshed, and enjoy increased energy levels throughout the day.

Portable and travel-friendly

Dental appliances are compact, making them easy to transport and ideal for travel. Unlike CPAP machines, which require electricity and specific accessories, dental appliances can be conveniently carried in a small case, ensuring you can maintain your sleep apnea treatment regimen even when away from home … even in off-the-grid vacation destinations! 

Compliance and long-term use

When compared to a CPAP machine, it’s much easier to stick with your treatment and wear your oral appliance due to their comfort and convenience. Unlike other treatment options, such as surgery, dental appliances don’t involve any invasive procedures and can be used for long-term management of sleep apnea.

Sleep in comfort with a dental appliance

If you’re living with sleep apnea, our customized dental appliances provide an effective and comfortable solution. By repositioning your jaw and tongue to keep your airway open, these devices help eliminate the apneas that disrupt your sleep. With improved sleep quality and increased energy levels, you can experience a renewed sense of well-being and vitality.

Consult with our team here in Urbandale, Iowa, to discuss whether a dental appliance is suitable for your specific condition. Our team guides you through the process, ensuring a customized fit and ongoing support to help you achieve a restful night's sleep. Don't let sleep apnea compromise your health and quality of life— call us today at 515-276-7800.