Revitalize Your Life With Sleep Apnea Treatment
Dr. Sheila Birth Can Help
Sleep apnea is a harmful condition that can take a significant toll on your overall health. That’s why it’s crucial to get a proper diagnosis and find an appropriate treatment solution right away.
Dr. Sheila Birth is an experienced orthodontist who specializes in treating sleep apnea and snoring with custom oral appliances. For many years, she’s helped patients in the Fort Worth area get the peaceful night’s rest they sorely need. Explore our guide to learn more about our treatment options for sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Screening
The first step to conquering your condition 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.
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 her develop a customized treatment plan that fits your specific needs.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Typically, a CPAP machine is the first treatment recommended for sleep apnea. This device pumps a stream of continuous air into your lungs through a mask that you wear overnight. However, many patients find the mask too uncomfortable to sleep with and the machine makes a loud noise that can cause even further disruption.
Thankfully, Dr. Birth offers customized oral appliances as a convenient, minimally-invasive alternative to CPAP. These appliances are comfortable, silent, and easy to travel with. They even allow you to sleep in any position you like, while a CPAP machine forces you to sleep on your back.
We feature 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I choose an oral appliance instead of CPAP treatment?
Though CPAP machines are effective when used properly, the long-term compliance rate among CPAP patients is extremely low. This is because the machine is noisy and difficult to travel with, while the attached mask is uncomfortable to wear and forces you to sleep on your back. On the other hand, oral appliances are:
- Customized to your jaw for maximum comfort
- Silent
- Easily portable
- Allow you to sleep in any position you like
Which type of oral appliance is best?
We feature three different types of appliances at our practice and the one that’s best for you could vary depending on your case. During your no-obligation consultation, Dr. Birth will evaluate your symptoms and help you determine a treatment plan that fits your needs.
Will an oral appliance 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.
Sleep Soundly Through the Night
Sleep is essential to your wellbeing 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.
Call our Fort Worth practice at 817-502-9103 and schedule a no-obligation consultation with Dr. Birth today. It’s your first step to a better night’s sleep.