Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

Once the doctor confirms that you have obstructive sleep apnea based on the signs, symptoms, physical examination, and the polysomnography test results, he or she will suggest a treatment plan by considering the type of problem you face. During the physical examination,  the doctor will examine your nose, back of your throat, and mouth to detect extra tissue abnormalities. Also, the doctor will check your blood pressure and measure the circumference of your neck and waist.

Depending on the case’s seriousness, the doctor will recommend the treatment that provides the best results. The doctor would recommend lifestyle changes for milder cases, and for more severe problems, the doctor would recommend other therapies.

Lifestyle changes

If the sleep apnea patient is overweight, the doctor would recommend losing weight by exercising regularly. He or she would also advise to quit smoking tobacco and restrict alcohol consumption to a moderate level. Not sleeping on your back and using a nasal decongestant are the other remedies that the doctor would suggest, along with a complete ban on sleeping pills and other sedative medications.

If the treatment does not give results, the doctor would recommend some other treatment such as Oral Appliance Therapy available at the Beacon Dental Sleep Clinic in Sandyford, Co. Dublin

What is Oral Appliance Therapy?

An oral appliance is a device worn in the mouth only during sleep. The device fits similar to a sports mouth guard or orthodontic retainer and prevents the airway from collapsing by either supporting the tongue or jaw in a forward position, thereby opening the airway.

With a custom fitted oral appliance, we can help minimise or eliminate the symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing. Sleep apnoea (in mild to moderate cases) including loud snoring, gasping and unpleasant noises.

The device can also act as an alternative treatment for patients (on medical advice only) who have been prescribed CPAP by their medical consultant, finding it difficult to adhere to this therapy for management of their sleep apnoea condition.

How does Oral Appliance Therapy Work?

Oral appliances hold the lower jaw in a forward position, dilates the upper airway and preventing it from collapsing. This helps to:

• eliminate or reduce snoring noise levels
• improve sleep quality and general energy levels on wakening
• treat sleep apnoea disease progression
• improves bed partners sleep quality of life.

The Beacon Dental Clinic provide the following additional services

• Referral from consultant led medical diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing, noisy loud snoring and suspected sleep apnoea.
• CBT referral or medical advice for sleep disorder management.
• Dietician and weight management referral if indicated.
• Dental health care education.
• Dental Hygienist service and dental health care education
• Advanced restorative prosthodontic care
• Routine in office dental healthcare

About Dental Sleep Medicine at The Beacon Dental Clinic

As director of the Beacon Dental Group Dr Edward G Owens is a hospital affiliated Prosthodontist. He has been working successfully with oral appliances to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea since 1997.

He collaborates with major hospital sleep disorder clinics and has been active in the management of oral sleep appliances and the development of Dental Sleep Medicine in Ireland.

For further information on Sleep Apnoea Treatment, contact us today 

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