The benefits of using oral appliance therapy as an obstructive sleep apnea solution

Millions of people suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that causes the airway to become blocked during sleep. This can lead to many health problems, including daytime fatigue, high blood pressure, and heart disease. In many cases, treatment with a CPAP machine is recommended. However, oral appliance therapy is often a more desirable solution for those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. At Hunt Valley Dental, our dentist and his team are here to help patients of the Hunt Valley, Maryland area with this condition and find a reliable and easy-to-use alternative to the dreaded CPAP machine and mask.

What is oral appliance therapy?

Obstructive sleep apnea solutions such as oral appliance therapy are highly desirable. Instead of wearing a cumbersome CPAP device, patients wear a mouthguard-like device in the mouth. This is more comfortable for many patients and is less intrusive than the alternative treatment solutions. Many patients don’t even realize that their dentist can help them with their sleep-disordered breathing concerns!

Here are some reasons why oral appliance therapy is a better choice:

• Oral appliance therapy is more comfortable to use. This is because oral appliances are smaller and worn in the mouth, unlike CPAP machines that cover the entire face. This can obstruct vision and make it difficult for patients to move around freely at night.
• Oral appliance therapy reports better compliance. Oral appliance therapy has also been shown to have a very high rate of patient compliance (92%) compared with only 50% for those using CPAP machines! Patients who switch from CPAP devices find oral appliance therapy much easier to tolerate daily.
• Oral appliances are more portable. Oral appliance therapy is often desirable as these appliances are easier to travel with than CPAP machines and don’t require electricity to work.
• Oral appliances are less expensive. Oral appliances are significantly less than CPAP machines. CPAP machines also have additional costs in replacing natural wear and tear parts.

How do I learn more about oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea?

Dr. Thomas Rhodes and his team are located at 11321-A York Road in Hunt Valley, MD, and work regularly with patients interested in learning more about treatment alternatives to the CPAP machine. Call (410) 771-6300 today to request a visit.