Sleep Apnea Treatment: Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) in East Northport

What Do I Need to Know About Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is characterized by a person’s breathing being disrupted while he or she sleeps. These breathing interruptions limit how much oxygen comes into your body. This sleep disorder can be found in people of any age; however, it is most commonly diagnosed in those who are over the age of 40.

What Sleep Apnea Symptoms Should I Be Aware Of?

It’s important that you recognize the symptoms of this sleep disorder so that you can have it treated promptly. There are several symptoms that indicate that you may suffer from this disorder. Contact our office if you’ve been experiencing any of the common symptoms.

 Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

1. Loud/frequent snoring
2. Pauses in breathing during sleep
3. Choking or gasping during sleep
4. Morning headaches
5. Feeling sleepy during the day
6. Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat

What Do I Need to Know About Sleep Apnea Causes?

When you’re awake, the muscles of your throat are stiff, which is what allows air to flow into your lungs. When you sleep, the muscles of your throat relax. This causes the throat to become narrow, which makes it harder for the air to go into your lungs. Some of the factors that can increase your risk of having this sleep disorder include:

1. Being overweight
2. Male gender
3. Family history of the condition
4. Having a neck size greater than 16 inches

How Is This Disorder Treated?

If you have a mild form of this disorder, you can typically treat it by making some changes to your lifestyle. These changes include losing weight and sleeping on your side at night. Opting to use a dental appliance is another way that you can treat the disorder. A customized oral appliance provides you with relief from snoring and disrupted breathing by allowing your jaw and tongue to stay in a certain position while you’re sleeping. If you have a more advanced form of the disorder, you may be in need of surgery to have it properly treated. It’s important that you contact your dentist in East Northport to be evaluated by one of our team members. This will allow us to determine how severe your case is, which allows us to develop the best treatment plan for you.

What Should I Know About an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea?

A sleep apnea mouthpiece is somewhat like a retainer or mouth guard that is worn when a person plays a sport. However, it is worn only when a person sleeps. This type of mouthpiece gently keeps your jaw positioned forward so that your airway is made larger while you sleep. This helps to address interrupted breathing, as well as other symptoms that are present with this particular sleep disorder.

How Much Does an Oral Appliance Cost?

The amount that you will have to pay for a sleep apnea mouth guard depends on the exact device you are prescribed. Having dental or medical insurance can also impact the overall amount you will owe. To find out more about what one of these oral appliances will cost you, get in touch with our office.

What Are the Benefits of Receiving Oral Appliance Therapy Treatment (OAT)?

Undergoing oral appliance therapy comes with several different benefits that help you to improve the overall quality of your sleep. This also allows you to improve your overall physical health. The majority of our patients who receive this treatment are happy with how easy their device is to care for and use. In addition to this, they find this treatment option to be an improvement on other types of sleep disorder treatments because the devices are portable and easier to travel with. Utilizing oral appliance therapy helps to reduce symptoms without surgery. If you’d like to learn more about how oral appliance therapy can help you in addressing your symptoms, schedule an appointment with one of our dentists today.

Does My Insurance Cover Oral Appliance Therapy?

Most insurance companies cover either some or all of the costs of oral appliances. Contact your insurance provider to determine what your insurance plan covers.