Pasadena, Deer Park Sleep Doctors
Correcting and lessening the effects of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is very important for your health and well-being. Without treatment, sleep apnea patients are at a higher risk for other health complications, such as obesity, stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure and diabetes. Our Pasadena Texas Sleep Clinic helps patients find comfortable solutions for OSA issues with oral appliance therapy.
Getting Help for Sleep Disordered Breathing
The first step in the process for relief from sleep apnea symptoms is to get tested. The easiest way to get tested is with a home sleep study. The equipment is sent to your house with detailed instructions. You take the test over the course of two nights. The sleep equipment is sent back via a pre-paid envelope. A board-certified sleep physician reads the study and gives a diagnosis. The physician will, if appropriate, write a prescription for a sleep apnea oral appliance.
How Dental Appliances Help Sleep Apnea Patients
Mandibular Advancement Devices (oral appliances) for sleep apnea resemble night guards but with a top and bottom component. These appliances help improve breathing by pulling the jaw slightly forward and downward. This opens up the back of the throat and so that the tongue and neck soft tissue do no occlude the airway.
Sleep apnea dental appliances work best for those with minor or moderate symptoms. Also, they are used for patients that cannot tolerate their CPAP machines. In severe sleep apnea issues, oral appliances can even be used in conjunction with a CPAP machine for improved air flow. By allowing the free flow of air, our Pasadena Texas Sleep Apnea Dentists Drs. Nugent and West help patients find relief from common symptoms that include:
- Waking up groggy
- Inability to sleep deeply through the night
- Frequent head aches
- Snoring
- Inability to focus
The sleep apnea appliances provide improvements in comfort over using the CPAP machine alone. You must wear a mask covering your nose and mouth which can cause claustrophobia. The CPAP rams high pressure air through your nose and mouth. The constant stream of high pressure air can dry out the soft tissue in mouth and nasal passages. The CPAP machine is also bulky, loud, needs electricity and involves the use of head straps and tubing. Thus, it is difficult to move and change sleeping positions during the night. On the other hand, with oral appliances, you can turn your head freely and have the ability to rest in the position that makes it easier for you to sleep soundly.
Custom Snore Guards
If your home sleep study comes back negative for sleep apnea but indicates excessive snoring, we can make a snore guard. Our snoring appliances are customized to fit the shape of your smile for comfortable wear and use. With a snore guard, you and the other members of your household can enjoy more peaceful and restful sleep each night.
Learn More about Sleep Apnea Therapy
Drs. Nugent and West can help you find relief from obstructive sleep apnea symptoms that negatively impacted your health and well-being with a convenient oral appliance. Contact our Pasadena Texas Dental Sleep Office today at 832-487-0647 to learn more about sleep apnea treatment.
