Sleep Apnea Treatment: Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) in Houston

As part of your treatment plan, you may be advised to wear a custom-made oral appliance. It can help by enhancing the quality of your sleep, and it may improve your breathing. Our dentists at Made Ya Smile West Eight Crossing in Houston would be happy to design an oral appliance that fits your needs. Contact our clinic today to find out how we can help.

What Should I Know About Sleep Apnea?

This condition is a sleep-related breathing disorder that causes you to have interruptions in breathing while you sleep. It can reduce the amount of oxygen that your body gets, and this places increased stress on your heart. Although people of any age can develop this disorder, it’s most common in individuals over 40.

Which Sleep Apnea Symptoms Should I Watch For?

The most common symptoms of this condition include the following:

• Gasping for air or choking during sleep
• Pauses in breathing while you’re asleep
• Loud or frequent snoring
• Excessive sleepiness during the daytime
• Headaches that occur in the morning
• Sore throat or dry mouth symptoms upon waking
• Night sweats
• Depression and anxiety
• Insomnia

What Are Some of the Major Sleep Apnea Causes?

While you’re awake, the muscles in your throat are stiff. This allows air to flow into your lungs without any interruptions. When you’re asleep, your throat muscles relax. Your throat narrows, and this may block the proper flow of air. You’re more likely to experience this if you’re in the following categories:

1. You’re a man.
2. Your weight is classified as overweight or obese.
3. You have a family history of this sleep-related breathing disorder.
4. You have a neck circumference of more than 16 inches.
5. You have trouble breathing through your nose.
6. You have asthma, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, or Type 2 diabetes.

Which Treatments Are Recommended for This Condition?

If you have mild symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend lifestyle changes to manage your symptoms. For example, you may be advised to lose weight, and your specialist might suggest that you sleep on your side.

Oral appliances can help keep your airway open. They work by pushing your jaw forward which may alleviate snoring and interruptions in breathing. If you use an oral appliance, you’ll need to have frequent checkups during the first year of use. During these appointments, your dentist will check the fit of your oral appliance to make sure that it is still working for you. You’ll be asked about any changes in your symptoms. After the first year, you will see your dentist for periodic exams to monitor your progress.

For moderate to severe symptoms, your physician may recommend the use of an airway pressure device. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines are two examples of these devices. You may need to try several machines to find a comfortable fit.

If you’re experiencing severe symptoms, your physician may recommend surgical interventions. Tissue removal, tissue shrinkage, nerve stimulation, and jaw repositioning are some of the options that may be available to you. If these procedures don’t work, your surgical team might need to perform a tracheostomy. This operation is done to create a new airway. However, this is only used in extreme cases.

If you’re dealing with sleep apnea in Houston, get in touch with our dental team to book your consultation today. Our team members will assess the severity of your symptoms to see if you would benefit from using a custom-made oral appliance.

What Happens When I Wear an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea?

Wearing a sleep apnea mouthpiece feels a lot like wearing an orthodontic retainer or using a mouth guard for sports. You wear the mouthpiece when you’re sleeping, and it works by guiding your jaw into a forward position. This posture opens your airway, and it will decrease snoring, breathing pauses, and other symptoms of this sleep-related respiratory condition.

How Much Will My Oral Appliance Cost?

The cost of your sleep apnea mouth guard will depend on your health insurance coverage and the type of device you need. We will be able to give you detailed information about mouthpiece prices during your consultation.

How Could Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) Help Me?

OAT is portable and easy to use, and many patients find that it is much more convenient than other treatments. While CPAP and BiPAP machines can be hard to clean, you can take care of your oral appliance by brushing it with a soft toothbrush and antibacterial soap. Most importantly, OAT is a non-invasive treatment that could help you manage your symptoms without surgery. To find out more about how OAT could work for you, contact Made Ya Smile West Eight Crossing in Houston to book your consultation.

Will My Insurance Cover OAT?

Most health insurance plans provide coverage for OAT. Your plan may offer full or partial coverage for this treatment. Before you begin OAT, check with your insurance provider for detailed information about the price of your oral appliance for sleep apnea in Houston.