Don’t Like CPAP? Try Our Comfortable Custom Oral Sleep Apnea Device

Sleep is something your body needs for many reasons, but conditions like sleep apnea can make getting that rest difficult. An estimated 30 million adults (with many of them undiagnosed) in the U.S. struggle with this condition, and it may affect as many as a billion people across the globe. There are a few different types of this illness, such as obstructive, central, and mixed (a combination of the other two) sleep apnea, all of which affect your breathing while you sleep. It can happen at any age but the risk of the condition increases as you get older.

The continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is a commonly used system because it is effective, but not everyone tends to tolerate it as a solution. To help those that aren’t able to use the CPAP machine, there are other oral devices available that can help. Let’s explore your options for treatment of sleep apnea by looking at the issues people have with CPAP machines, and the types of intraoral devices available.

If you live in the Frisco, Texas, area and you’re struggling with sleep apnea and want alternatives to CPAP treatments, Dr. Alecia Hardy and her skilled medical staff at Frisco Dental Implant Center can help you treat this illness.

Issues with the CPAP machine

The CPAP device works to treat all forms of sleep apnea by keeping your airway open as you sleep so you can breathe normally through the night. It comes in different types, and even has different masks to suit your needs, but the problem with the device for many people is that they find it uncomfortable and unwieldy to use. Other issues people may encounter using it include:

• Nasal congestion
• Insomnia
• Dry mouth
• Claustrophobia
• Skin irritation
• Nosebleeds
• Feeling bloated

It is possible to get over these issues gradually with adjustments, but it still leaves many people unable to get used to the device.

Types of intraoral devices

There are a few different options for oral devices to treat sleep apnea, but we recommed the following:

Mandibular advancement device (MAD)

The most common form of mouth device used, this looks like a normal mouthguard and is customizable to suit your individual needs.

The purpose of oral devices is to keep the airway open by removing physical barriers to breathing common in obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP machines are still largely considered to be better suited for treating all forms of sleep apnea, but it is not as well tolerated as oral devices, with a much lower long-term compliance rate.

At Frisco Dental Implant Center we make impressions of your mouth by physical or digital means to get the necessary impression, and send it to a lab for the device to be fabricated. Once it is fitted, it will be ready to use, and you’ll come back for follow-up visits to assess how well it’s helping.

If you’re having problems with sleep apnea and don’t want to use a CPAP machine, we have options to help you sleep better. Make an appointment with Dr. Hardy at Frisco Dental Implant Center online or by phone today to get started.