What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common classification of sleep apnea. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you repeatedly stop and start breathing while you are asleep. Apnea occurs when the muscles in your throat relax and block your airway. You may find that you wake up during the night feeling like you are gasping for air. Snoring is another common symptom of OSA.

What Treatment Options are Available?

For many years a CPAP or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device was the only treatment option available. It is worn while sleeping and forces air into the airways to keep them open. The CPAP is effective, but many patients do not wear the device because it makes them uncomfortable. The CPAP also requires daily cleaning which can be a hassle to fit into a busy schedule. Today, a mandibular advancement splint, also called an oral appliance, is an available alternative to CPAP for obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.

This oral appliance is designed to improve the airflow in the upper airway and prevent its collapse by changing the position of the jaw and tongue. The mandibular splint can enlarge the upper airway space while fitting comfortably in the mouth. The mouthpiece is worn only while sleeping and helps you get a better night’s sleep.

Is the alternative to CPAP for OSA as Effective?

The CPAP is effective, but many people cannot adjust to its noisiness or the way it feels. While the CPAP is effective, it’s not always the best treatment option and it’s certainly not the only option. Oral appliance therapy by a trained, certified dentist like Dr. Bogrow has shown great effectiveness. Studies at the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health have shown oral appliances to be as effective as the CPAP for reducing the symptoms of OSA. Also, patients in the studies were more likely to wear the oral appliance than they were to use the CPAP device.

Studies demonstrate that oral appliances effectively reduce snoring and obstructive breathing events. Because of their effectiveness, common health concerns that stem from snoring, lack of oxygen during sleep or interrupted sleep are reduced. Oral appliances help patients get a better night’s sleep, so they do not experience daytime grogginess. Additionally, the risk of developing serious health conditions caused by lack of sleep is greatly reduced. Other benefits of using an oral appliance to treat OSA include:

·  Fewer morning headaches

·  Lower blood pressure readings

·  Improved mood (less depression, irritability, and fewer mood swings)

·   Increased libido

Schedule your Appointment with Dr. Bogrow Today!

If you suffer from sleep apnea and would like to discuss an oral appliance as an alternative to CPAP for OSA, call our offices to schedule an appointment. At Michigan Sleep Apnea Center, we want to help you get a good night’s sleep! Dr. Bogrow is happy to answer any questions you may have about the use of oral appliances as an alternative to CPAP. He will work with you to find the best treatment option for you.

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Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder requiring professional medical help. Dr. Bogrow treats patients who suffer from snoring and sleep apnea. His goal is to find patients effective and comfortable solutions that help improve their quality of life by getting longer, better sleep. At Michigan Sleep Center, patients are treated using oral appliance therapy.

What is oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea?

An oral appliance is worn only during sleep and fits somewhat like an orthodontic retainer. The appliance helps keep the jaw in a forward position, so the upper airway remains open. This can be effective for treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. After an evaluation and diagnosis of sleep apnea, Dr. Bogrow will discuss your options and prescribe a custom-made oral appliance.

What are the advantages?

A CPAP can be noisy and burdensome to deal with. In some instances, it can prevent a good night’s sleep. Oral appliances, on the other hand, are non-invasive and can more easily be fit into a busy lifestyle. Patients comment that oral appliance therapy provides benefits such as:

• Being more comfortable
• Easier to wear
• Much quieter
• Very portable
• Make it easier to travel
• Easier to care for

How does an oral appliance treat sleep apnea?

If you have sleep apnea and Dr. Bogrow prescribes the use of an oral appliance, he will make sure it fits you well. They come in a variety of designs, but it’s most important that it fits you. The main purpose of using them is to keep the airway open while you are sleeping. This will prevent it from collapsing and blocking free airflow. An oral appliance will do three things:

1. The oral appliance will hold the airway open by bringing the lower jaw forward slightly.
2. It holds the tongue in position so it cannot fall backward and cause airway obstruction while you are sleeping.
3. It may do one or both of these actions at the same time.

How effective are these devices?

The most popular treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP. But after more research, oral appliances are being prescribed more frequently. They often provide an alternative to the use of a CPAP or sleep apnea surgery. An oral appliance is less expensive and less invasive. In cases where a patient is suffering from sleep apnea and being overweight, an they may be used along with an appropriate weight loss program. Oral appliances help reduce snoring as well by reducing airway turbulence. It is important to work with Dr. Bogrow at the Michigan Sleep Apnea Center to determine the best treatment course for you.

Will insurance pay for oral appliances?

In most cases, medical insurance, not dental insurance, will pay for at least part of the costs of obtaining an oral appliance. Medicare and sometimes Medicaid will pay for the device, especially if the CPAP was not effective. At Michigan Sleep Apnea Center, initial costs include the appliance, the exam, and an entire year of follow-up visits and adjustments. Dr. Bogrow works diligently to minimize patient costs.

What’s it like to live with oral appliance therapy?

When oral appliance therapy is effective, it can make you feel like a brand new person. It will reduce your interrupted sleep and associated symptoms. This can improve your quality of life dramatically. You may be able to sleep better and feel better throughout the daytime.

How do I get an oral appliance?

Your first step, after receiving a medical diagnosis of sleep apnea from a physician, is to schedule an initial complimentary consultation with Dr. Bogrow, to confirm that appliance therapy is an appropriate treatment for your situation. We will review your history and discuss your symptoms and lifestyle. At that time we will also discuss your medical insurance and how your coverage will be used to cover the cost of the appliance. 

If you are ready to sleep better and feel better, call us today to schedule a visit with Dr. Bogrow.

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