Experiencing the symptoms of sleep apnea? Find a more comfortable approach to better sleep with Westminster Dental Care!
If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and have struggled to use CPAP consistently, you have options. At Westminster Dental Care, we provide oral appliance therapy for appropriate patients who have already completed a sleep study and received a diagnosis.
For some patients, a custom oral appliance can provide a more comfortable and convenient alternative to wearing a CPAP mask every night. Dr. Dylan McKnight and his team in Westminster, CO, work closely with a sleep study association that helps evaluate patients and determine which type of oral appliance could be best for their needs.
Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea
Because sleep apnea is a medical condition, proper diagnosis is an important first step. While Westminster Dental Care does not replace the role of your sleep physician or sleep specialist in diagnosing sleep apnea, we work with patients who have already undergone a sleep study and received an appropriate diagnosis and appliance recommendation.
A Team Approach to Sleep Apnea Care
Sleep apnea treatment often involves coordination between medical and dental providers. That’s why we work with a Sleep Study Association that helps diagnose patients and determine the appropriate type of oral appliance when dental treatment is indicated.
Once the appropriate appliance has been recommended, our dental team can help with the dental side of treatment, including fitting and delivering the appliance and monitoring your oral health throughout treatment. This collaborative approach helps ensure that your oral appliance is being used as part of an overall sleep apnea treatment plan.
When CPAP Isn’t Working for You
CPAP is an effective treatment for many people with obstructive sleep apnea, but not everyone finds it easy to use consistently. Some patients struggle with the mask, discomfort, claustrophobia, noise, or simply the inconvenience of sleeping connected to a machine.
If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are having trouble using CPAP, talk with your medical or sleep provider about whether oral appliance therapy may be appropriate for you.
An oral appliance may offer several practical advantages for the right patient:
- Small and portable
- No mask or tubing
- Convenient for travel
- Worn while sleeping
- Custom-made for your mouth
- May be easier for some patients to tolerate than CPAP
An oral appliance is not right for everyone, and your sleep diagnosis and individual circumstances will determine whether it is an appropriate option.
What to Expect from Your Sleep Apnea Treatment
If you’ve already completed a sleep study and have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, we’ll work with the appropriate sleep professionals to understand your treatment recommendation. Your dental evaluation may include assessing your teeth, gums, jaw, bite, and overall oral health to determine whether an oral appliance can be safely and appropriately used.
If an oral appliance is recommended, we’ll help guide you through the fitting process and explain how to care for and use your device.
Follow-up appointments will be important for monitoring the fit and condition of your appliance and evaluating your oral health while you’re using it. Your sleep provider may also recommend follow-up sleep testing to determine how effectively your treatment is controlling your sleep apnea.
Take the Next Step Toward Better Sleep
If you’ve already had a sleep study, have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, and aren’t doing well with CPAP, an oral appliance may be an option to discuss with your sleep provider. At Westminster Dental Care, we work alongside sleep professionals to provide dental care for appropriate patients seeking oral appliance therapy.
Contact Westminster Dental Care to learn more about sleep dentistry and whether an oral appliance may be part of your sleep apnea treatment plan.
