While we don’t know the cause of obstructive sleep apnea for every patient, certain risk factors increase your chances:
- Being male
- Over 60 years of age
- Overweight or obese
- Thick neck circumference
- Small airway
- Enlarged tonsils
- Lack of muscle tone in throat
- Family history
Obstructive sleep apnea is dangerous when left untreated. If you received a diagnosis of sleep apnea, chances are your doctor recommended a CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) machine. The fact is that some people just cannot get comfortable at night wearing a CPAP mask, or they end up removing the mask in the middle of the night, defeating the purpose of treatment.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Recent scientific evidence points to the effectiveness of oral appliances in the treatment of sleep apnea. Our oral appliances are custom made and designed to help open your airway so that appropriate air flow is unrestricted. They assist in keeping your tongue from sliding back and blocking your airway or gently slide your lower jaw forward, opening your airway.
Our patients tell us how much our sleep apnea devices have changed their lives. They are both comfortable and effective and most people get used to wearing them after only a short time. They are not bulky and allow you to sleep in any position that feels comfortable to you without tubes or a mask. Call our office today to schedule your consultation to see if you can benefit from oral appliance therapy.