Comfortable Sleep Apnea Solutions
Sleep apnea is a serious health disorder that has negative effects on your mental health and physical well-being. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you’re probably looking for a way to manage your symptoms and improve the quality of your sleep. One of the most common sleep apnea treatments is continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP. Although effective, many patients struggling with sleep apnea don’t prefer CPAP machines because they’re known to cause their issues.
Fortunately, advancements in dental sleep medicine have allowed Birth & Fletcher Orthodontics to offer more comfortable sleep apnea treatments. Our Fort Worth sleep dentist, Dr. Sheila Birth can offer alternative sleep apnea treatments and CPAP alternatives to help you comfortably control your symptoms and ensure you sleep soundly.
The Problem With CPAP Machines
CPAP users often find the machines to be:
- Uncomfortable
- Noisy
- Expensive
- Inconvenient
CPAP has also been known to cause its own set of health issues such as:
- Excessive gas
- Congestion
- Dry mouth
- Acne/skin irritation in areas where the mask was worn
- Feelings of claustrophobia
To circumvent these problems and help ensure patients stick to their treatment, Dr. Birth offers CPAP alternatives in the form of oral appliances.
What is Oral Appliance Therapy?
Oral appliance therapy makes use of custom-made mouthguards instead of CPAP machines. These simple oral appliances are shaped to fit comfortably inside the mouth, repositioning the jaw muscles while you sleep. The new position keeps your airways open and free of obstruction, so you can breathe more easily.
Dr. Sheila Birth is an experienced orthodontist who specializes in treating sleep apnea and snoring with custom oral appliances. For several years, she’s helped patients in the Fort Worth area get the peaceful night’s rest they sorely need.
Our Oral Appliance Therapy Options
Your experienced sleep dentist features the following appliances at our Fort Worth practice:
Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) — This device gently shifts your lower jaw forward to expand your airway and help you breathe freely overnight.
HERBST Appliance — Ideal for younger patients, this appliance can correct overbites before the mouth is fully developed.
EMA® Appliance — These flexible appliances have adjustable elastic straps for maximum comfort and can be used to treat TMJ issues.
Sleep Apnea Screening
The first step to overcoming sleep apnea is getting a confirmed diagnosis. When you visit our office for a consultation, Dr. Birth will conduct a thorough examination and screen you with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. This will allow her to determine the severity of your condition.
From there, Dr. Birth will likely recommend you for a sleep study. During a sleep study, electrodes connected to monitoring equipment will be attached to your skull. The equipment will record your vitals while you sleep, including:
- Eye movement
- Heart rate
- Breathing
- Leg movement
- Brain waves
- Oxygen blood levels
Next, Dr. Birth will use a digital scanner to take highly accurate impressions of your teeth. She may also use our 3D X-ray machine to measure your airway. This in-depth screening process will help your Fort Worth dentist develop a customized treatment plan that fits your specific needs.
Sleep Soundly, Call Dr. Birth About CPAP Alternatives
Sleep is essential to your well-being and you can’t afford to miss too much of it. If you suffer from sleep apnea or chronic snoring, Dr. Birth can provide a solution that will relieve your symptoms and help you enjoy the peaceful rest you deserve. Dr. Birth provides alternative sleep apnea treatments and CPAP alternatives to patients from Fort Worth and surrounding areas such as River Oaks, Arlington, & Westover Hills, TX.
Call our Fort Worth practice at 817-502-9103 and schedule a no-obligation consultation with Dr. Birth today. You can also fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page and one of our friendly team members will get back to you shortly. It’s your first step to a better night’s sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will oral appliance therapy help my snoring if I don’t have sleep apnea?
Yes! There are a variety of factors that can cause snoring, some of which aren’t connected to sleep apnea. In many cases, an oral appliance will reduce your snoring and help you enjoy a better night’s sleep, regardless of whether you have sleep apnea.
What is the cost of oral appliance therapy?
The exact cost of oral appliance therapy will vary from patient to patient. Common factors that influence the cost include the kind of oral appliance you’ll get, the severity of your case, and your insurance coverage.
You should contact your insurance provider beforehand to ask them which costs they can cover. Because sleep disorder is both a dental and medical problem, contact your dental insurance provider as well as your medical insurance provider.
Is oral appliance therapy effective for treating sleep apnea?
The Sleep Foundation found that oral appliance therapy is often more effective than CPAP because the comfort and convenience of the devices make people more likely to use them.
How long does it take to adjust to oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea?
Adjustment times vary depending on the person, but it can take several weeks to get used to wearing the appliance. It is important to follow the instructions provided by your dentist and to attend regular follow-up appointments to ensure the device is fitting and working properly.