A Sleep Apnea Appliance vs. CPAP mask

In my post about sleep apnea last week, I introduced the SomnoDent® device, a dental appliance that may bring relief to people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common type of sleep apnea.

This week, I’ll tell you more about the SomnoDent appliance but first, how do you know if you or a loved one might be suffering from OSA?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute provides excellent information about the symptoms of OSA. The most common symptoms are loud and chronic snoring and daytime sleepiness. Other symptoms include:

·         Morning headaches

·         Memory or learning problems and not being able to concentrate

·         Feeling irritable, depressed, or having mood swings or personality changes

·         Waking up frequently to urinate

·         Dry mouth or sore throat when you wake up

You can educate yourself about the risks for sleep apnea using an online quiz, found at http://dreamsmiledental.com/sleep-apnea.html#sleepapneatest

CPAP: Half Reject it Within the First Year

Last week, I discussed the standard treatment for OSA, the CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) machine. However, while the CPAP machine reduces symptoms and improves sleep apnea, half of people with a CPAP give up on it in the first year—most of them in the first month of use! For these sufferers—and the many others whose OSA remains untreated because they are reluctant to use a CPAP device—SomnoDent provides a good option.

Dental Devices = A Real Solution for OSA

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and the American Dental Association all support the use of devices like SomnoDent to help people for whom a CPAP isn’t an option.

We use the SomnoDent device because it’s the only FDA-approved appliance available. We’ve also found it to be the most comfortable for patients. The SomnoDent device differs from similar devices by having separate lower and upper dental plates. It is custom-fitted, and can be adjusted to control how much it extends the lower jaw forward. Using the device, a patient can open and close their mouth, which significantly increases their comfort and compliance with treatment. While dental insurance usually does not pay for the device, medical insurance typically does. Check with Dream Smile Dental’s account managers to verify coverage.

There are different diagnostic approaches to creating the perfect fitting sleep appliance. A dentist will rely on a combination of art, science and experience to ensure a custom, comfortable fit. Because of the complexity involved, your dentist should be willing to work with your medical provider, who will diagnose your condition. Your dentist should also have sleep medicine and jaw joint experience and seek regular continuing education on the subject. To ensure a comfortable fit, I’ve found that by relaxing the muscles of the head and neck using an FDA-approved soft electrical impulse machine, it is easier to find the optimal position of the lower jaw in which the airway is maximally open. This approach improves comfort for the patients, which leads to effective use and ultimately, a treatment for OSA that works.

The Best News: People Use it!

A treatment isn’t a solution if people don’t use it. The good news about the Somnodent appliance is that 91% of patients report improved sleep quality and 96% report they will likely continue to use it. Our patients have experienced great results. In my next blog post, I’ll share a story about one patient’s experience.

Until then, keep smiling.