Is there another sleep apnea treatment other than the use of a CPAP machine?

When patients in Riverside, California, are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), their primary care physician or sleep specialist often starts by prescribing a CPAP machine. The CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine uses air pressure to keep the patient’s airways open during sleep and reduce snoring. The device provides a stream of pressurized air through a mask worn over the nose or mouth while sleeping. This helps keep the upper airway passages open so oxygen can flow freely.

However, many patients who are advised to use this device do not comply with treatment because it is difficult to travel with and uncomfortable to wear. Instead, Dr. Archana Sheth of Dental Care of Riverside in Riverside, California, encourages patients to ask her about an alternative sleep apnea treatment called oral appliance therapy.

What is oral appliance therapy?

Patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea who are frustrated with using a CPAP machine are encouraged to talk to our team at Dental Care of Riverside to determine if they are good candidates for oral appliance therapy. With oral appliance therapy, patients can achieve results without hauling their CPAP machine to bed. The oral appliance is like a mouthguard worn over the teeth to align the jaw and hold down the tongue. This opens the airways just as effectively while remaining more comfortable for the patient. The oral appliance doesn’t require power, masks, or large devices that have to be worn over the face at night.

Why choose oral appliance therapy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea?

There are several reasons why patients switch to oral appliance therapy for the treatment of their OSA. Some of the advantages of this treatment include:

• Increased comfort while sleeping. The oral appliance is much more comfortable than a CPAP machine, which can be bulky and cumbersome. It is also easier to travel with the oral appliance.
• Convenience for travel and comfort. With oral appliance therapy, you no longer have to worry about carrying your CPAP machine wherever you go or setting it up each night before bed.
• Reduced snoring. The oral appliance provided by our team at Dental Care of Riverside holds the jaw and tongue in place during sleep, helping to reduce snoring often associated with obstructive sleep apnea.
• Improved quality of sleep. With improved airflow, patients using an oral appliance for OSA treatment can achieve a better night’s rest when compared to those wearing a CPAP device.
• Combat incorrect diagnosis. Sometimes, children are misdiagnosed with ADHD and poor performance at school due to insufficient sleep caused by sleep apnea. Getting a proper diagnosis and getting treated can prevent Sleep Apnea as well as ADHD.

Are you ready to find out if our oral appliance therapy solution is right for you?

If you are ready to ditch your cumbersome CPAP device and want to speak to Dr Sheth about the advantages of oral appliance therapy, we invite you to call Dental Care of Riverside in Riverside, California, to request an appointment with Dr. Archana Sheth! Dr. Sheth has over two decades of experience providing oral appliance therapy for those diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea or chronic snoring. She has qualified dentist designation thanks to additional training she has received.

Her office is at 1325 West Blaine Street, and can be reached by calling (951) 666-8998.

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