Sleep Apnea & Snoring
Westlake Sleep Apnea Treatment
Your Path to Better Sleep: Understanding Diagnosis and Oral Appliance Therapy
Diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a crucial step in addressing this serious medical condition, often associated with heart disease. Typically, diagnosis involves an overnight sleep study known as a Polysomnogram (PSG) in conjunction with a thorough patient evaluation and history assessment. Once diagnosed, several treatment options are available, ranging from lifestyle changes, CPAP therapy, custom oral appliance therapy, and at times, surgical interventions. Oral Appliance Therapy is a viable option.
Understanding Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Treatment Options
- Weight Loss
- Good sleep hygiene
- CPAP (Continuous Airway Pressure)
- Oral Appliance Therapy (Mild-Moderate OSA)
- Surgery
Oral Appliance Therapy
An oral appliance is a specialized device worn in the mouth, akin to an orthodontic retainer or a sports mouthguard. Its primary function is to prevent the collapse of your tongue and soft tissues at the back of your throat during sleep, ensuring that your airway remains open. This, in turn, promotes adequate airflow and better breathing. Notably, there are approximately 70 different types of oral appliances available, falling into two main categories: Mandibular Repositioning Appliances (MRA) and Tongue Retained Appliances (TRA). For further information about sleep issues, you can visit the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine website (dentalsleepmed.org), an organization of which Dr. Borquez is a member.
If you have moderate to severe OSA an initial trial with a nasal CPAP is necessary due to its greater effectiveness than an oral appliance. If you cannot tolerate or refuse to use your CPAP and with a release from your physician an oral appliance can be tried.
