Oral Appliance Therapy – Chesapeake, VA

A More User-Friendly Way to Achieve Better Rest

A woman wearing a white robe, waking up, and stretching as she looks out the window after receiving oral appliance therapy in Chesapeake, VA

One of the most common forms of treatment for sleep apnea is the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device. While safe and effective for some, others may experience difficulty maneuvering the bulky machinery and find it uncomfortable to wear. At Estrada Dentistry, our dental professionals are pleased to offer an alternative solution. With oral appliance therapy in Chesapeake, VA, patients can begin to not only breathe more freely throughout the night but also sleep soundly and wake rested. If you would like to learn more about this unique form of treatment, or you would like to schedule an appointment with us, contact a member of our team today.

How Does an Oral Appliance Work?

An up-close image of an oral appliance used to treat sleep apnea

While you might assume that a CPAP is what you need to keep your airway open while you sleep, the reality is an oral appliance can easily (and more comfortably) keep your throat from collapsing onto your airway.

Our team will work to create a custom-made appliance that looks similar to a mouthguard. Fitting comfortably over your teeth, you will wear the device to bed. It will slightly move your lower jaw forward, keeping the airway from being obstructed and allowing you to breathe freely. You’ll soon begin to notice a dramatic difference in how good you feel when you wake in the morning.

What Are Its Advantages?

A young woman lying in bed with her eyes closed and smiling after a night of restful sleep

If you compare an oral appliance to a CPAP device or another form of sleep apnea therapy, you will discover these custom-made devices offer far more benefits. Here are just a few to consider:

Size: Unlike a CPAP machine that is large and uses a mask and hose, an oral appliance is small and can fit in the palm of your hand.
Comfort: Not only are CPAP machines loud, bulky, and difficult to maneuver, but they can cause you to have a sore throat more often because of the pressure and air being pushed into your airway. An oral device is simply worn and requires no pressurized air. It’s custom-made for you to ensure maximum comfort.
Portable – Need to go out of town for work? Planning to take a vacation with family? An oral appliance can be carried in a protective case and fit inside your purse or carry on. There’s no need to lug around a separate bag for your CPAP device when you can have greater ease with an oral device.
Assist with Other Dental Problems – In addition to treating your sleep apnea, oral appliances can also help reduce the risk of bruxism (teeth grinding), which can cause wear and tear on your teeth.

Who is a Good Candidate for Oral Appliance Therapy?

A man lying in bed with his hands over his face because he cannot seem to get any sleep throughout the night

Unsure if you’re a good candidate for oral appliance therapy? The team at Estrada Dentistry will be happy to go over the criteria, some of which includes:

A patient having mild to moderate sleep apnea symptoms
Someone who is CPAP intolerant or who is not having success with their CPAP device
Individuals who can benefit from combined methods of treatment
Someone who struggles with both sleep apnea and bruxism

Not everyone is eligible to receive treatment with an oral appliance. In the most severe cases, it will likely be necessary for our team to recommend a CPAP device, as this is the only proven method to treat severe cases of sleep apnea.

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