How is Sleep Apnea Treated?

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that affects millions of people every day, hindering productivity, happiness and health. Solutions to the problem, however, are often easier than one might think, which our Northridge dentist could easily assist with.

Mild to Moderate Sleep Apnea

Mild and moderate sleep apnea usually responds quite effectively to an exceptionally non-invasive and simple treatment: an oral appliance. Much like a mouth guard worn for sports, an oral appliance makes a minor adjustment to the jaw, aiding in the opening of the airway to keep soft tissue from blocking the breathing process. They are exceptionally comfortable, being custom-made for your mouth, and will neither abrade nor keep you up at night.

Moderate to Severe Sleep Apnea

More severe forms of sleep apnea may not respond as well to the oral appliance, for a variety of reasons. In these cases, a slightly more aggressive solution is needed. This is where a sleep apnea machine, the most common of which is known as a CPAP machine, comes into play. These machines quietly hum beside your bed, with a tube running from them to a mask worn while you sleep. With just a mild but steady stream of air, it is able to keep your air passageway open, allowing you to breath naturally without interruption.

To learn if you might need one of these solutions, contact our expert in sleep apnea in Northridge for a consultation.