How Dentists Help Treat Sleep Apnea with Custom Dental Devices
Dental sleep apnea devices are an evolved solution for managing mild obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. These custom fitted oral appliances help keep your airway open while you sleep, allowing for easier breathing and a restful night’s sleep. In this article, we will discuss how sleep apnea affects you, the role of dental devices in treatment, and how our highly trained team at Boston Dental can help with our custom sleep apnea solutions crafted specifically for each patient’s needs at our Seaport, Downtown Crossing, and Government Center locations.
You may have sleep apnea if you frequently experience loud snoring, wake up gasping for air, or feel excessively tired during the day despite a full night’s rest. Other common indicators include morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, and observed pauses in breathing by a partner. Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops, and then restarts during sleep. These interruptions prevent your body from getting enough oxygen, leading to disrupted rest and potential long term health issues. Recognizing these symptoms is the first step toward seeking effective sleep apnea solutions and improving your quality of life.
Our highly trained doctors here at Boston Dental provide effective sleep apnea solutions by creating a custom oral appliance, also known as a mandibular advancement device. After a proper diagnosis, our specially trained dentists can design a device that is tailored to your specific mouth structure. These appliances work by gently shifting your lower jaw forward or holding your tongue in place. This small adjustment prevents the soft tissues at the back of your throat from collapsing and blocking your airway while you sleep. The result is a clear passage for air, which helps reduce or eliminate snoring and the breathing interruptions associated with obstructive sleep apnea.
The process for getting custom sleep apnea devices begins with a consultation with one of our specialists where we evaluate your symptoms, jaw, and airway. We work alongside your physician to ensure an oral appliance is the right treatment for you. If it is, our team will take detailed impressions of your teeth and mouth. These molds are then sent to a specialized lab where your personalized oral appliance is crafted for a perfect fit. Once your device is ready, you will return for a fitting appointment, during which we will make any necessary adjustments to ensure it is both comfortable and effective. We will also show you how to properly wear and care for your new device to ensure lasting results.
Using dental devices for sleep apnea offers several significant benefits, making them a popular alternative to other treatments. They are a non-invasive and comfortable way to manage symptoms and improve your sleep quality.
If you have questions about the custom sleep apnea solutions we offer or wish to make an appointment at our Seaport, Government Center, or Downtown Crossing locations, please reach out to our team. You may call any of our offices directly or fill out the contact form on our website, and a member of our team will respond promptly.