What is oral appliance therapy?
Oral appliance therapy is a minimally-invasive treatment for sleep-disorder breathing conditions such as snoring and sleep apnea. Untreated sleep apnea raises your risk for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and changes in mood. The device is similar in appearance to a mouth guard, and is a removable oral appliance that you wear while you sleep. The oral appliance keeps your airway open by positioning your jaw forward, reduces snoring and helps you breathe easier throughout the night.
Patients typically prefer this method for treating their sleep apnea because it is easy to use and portable for those who travel, compared to a CPAP.
Oral appliance therapy can help alleviate your symptoms (see below), improve your sleep quality and overall health.
Why do I need oral appliance therapy?
Dr. Lepore and your physician may recommend oral appliance therapy if you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, and are unable to wear a CPAP.
You may have obstructive sleep apnea if you exhibit these symptoms and signs:
- You wake up gasping in the middle of the night
- You frequently wake up during the night
- Wake up with headaches
- Wake up feeling unrefreshed
- Have night sweats
- Find yourself needing to take naps often
Fitting You For Your Oral Appliance
At Lepore Comprehensive Dentistry, our team will take impressions of your teeth, and will be sent to a lab who will customize your appliance to your mouth.
Once your appliance is ready for you to try in, Dr. Lepore will adjust the appliance to maximize the comfort and effectiveness for you.
Are you ready for a better night’s rest?
Call Lepore Comprehensive Dentistry in Dunedin, FL to discuss if oral appliance therapy is right for you!
