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Dec
If you have been working with a sleep doctor or your primary care physician on treating obstructive sleep apnea, you may be very familiar with the CPAP device. The CPAP device is used to maintain open airways in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, allowing them to get the deep, restorative sleep they need to function their best each day. However, compliance with CPAP machines is often low due to several issues. This includes their large size, difficulty to travel with, and uncomfortable masks.
Fortunately, the doctors at Triad Dentistry in Greensboro, North Carolina, understand the troubles some patients with obstructive sleep apnea have with their CPAP machine and are here to offer an alternative that is much more comfortable to wear and easier to use: oral appliance therapy. Let’s look at this alternative to a CPAP machine with one of our dental sleep medicine experts at Triad Dentistry.
Understanding sleep apnea is the first step in determining what can be done. Obstructive sleep apnea is a unique but common sleeping disorder caused by intermittent blockages in the airways while one sleeps. During naps or bedtime, blockages in the nose and throat can cause a patient to stop breathing. They may wake up hundreds of times a night to restart the cycle, keeping them from reaching deep sleep. Even after spending 12 hours in bed at night, many wake up feeling tired.
Our dental sleep medicine professionals know that using a smaller device that is simple and comfortable is the best choice for many individuals who struggle with CPAP usage. The oral appliance device is similar to a mouthguard and keeps the airway open by aligning the jaw and holding down the tongue during sleep. It is an alternative to a CPAP machine without the same discomfort.
If you are considering alternatives to the CPAP machine, we invite you to call the team at Triad Dentistry to discuss possible solutions, such as oral appliance therapy. Our doctors are located at 2516-A Oakcrest Avenue in Greensboro, NC, and can be reached by calling (336) 383-1482 for an appointment. We are proud to serve patients in the surrounding cities of Elon, Burlington, Browns Summit, Asheboro, Archdale, Winston-Salem, and High Point, NC.