You may have heard over the course of time that oral appliance treatment is one means of treating sleep apnea. The result? You have been thinking that coming in to see our Livonia, MI team about your sleep disturbances might not be such a big deal after all. However, since you still have some gaps in your knowledge regarding oral appliances, what to make of them, and what happens if they’re not for you, you have a few questions. Good news! We would be thrilled to answer them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: So, remind me of how oral appliance treatment works. Am I going to be taking any kind of medicine or having a procedure to help me sleep better?
Answer: No and no. This form of sleep apnea treatment just means that you’re going to wear an oral appliance, which is another term for mouthguard. It will help with maintaining a particular position for your jaw, while you sleep, so your tissues do not slide back into your throat! This is a drug-free approach to promoting open airways.
Question: How do I know if I’m a good candidate for sleep apnea treatment with the use of an oral appliance? Is it likely that we will begin with this approach or do you usually suggest other methods of care first?
Answer: This is usually the first step toward sleep apnea treatment, as it is minimally invasive and simply positions your jaw. The only way to know whether it’s a good starting point for you is for you to come in soon to meet with our friendly team, so we may create a care plan!
Question: What happens if I try an oral appliance as my sleep apnea treatment but it doesn’t work well enough? Will I just have to make lifestyle changes or will you have me try something else?
Answer: First, if you attempt sleep apnea treatment through the use of an oral appliance, the answer is yes, we will encourage you to make lifestyle changes. Actually, it is wise to make them the moment you begin with your treatment. Avoiding things that can cause your throat tissues to collapse will make quite an impact! If these approaches do not succeed, we offer other forms of treatment, such as CPAP masks and machines with excellent success rates.
Protect Your Sleep By Coming To Our Team
When you are aware that something isn’t quite right with your sleep, we invite you to contact our team and to come in as soon as possible. Whether you qualify for oral appliance therapy or otherwise, we can help. James Stewart, DDS, and our team serve patients from Livonia, MI and the surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.
