If you are experiencing trouble sleeping and have previously been diagnosed with sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy can provide better opportunities for you to feel truly rested. At JawMatrix, we work with a unique approach that combines dental and chiropractic care to care for all areas of the neck and jawline to help patients with sleep apnea get better quality sleep through oral appliance therapy.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes problems in breathing during sleep, causing disruptions in the sleep-wake cycle. This disorder causes the diaphragm and chest muscles to push harder to open the airways, and leads to decreased levels of oxygen in the blood, increased carbon dioxide in the blood, and significantly impairs the quality of sleep you experience.
There are three types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most recurring condition and is caused by repeated obstruction of the upper airways.
- Central sleep apnea happens when the brain is less sensitive to carbon dioxide levels in the blood, failing to send signals to the respiratory muscles to breathe deeper during sleep.
- Mixed sleep apnea is a mixture of both central and obstructive sleep apnea episodes and is considered less common overall.
Sleep apnea symptoms include excessive snoring, daytime sleepiness, dry mouth, and difficulties focusing on daily tasks. Many factors can contribute to the obstruction of airways, and this disorder can lead to other medical disorders, including strokes, hypothyroidism, metabolic syndrome, and myasthenia gravis.
While CPAP machines are the most recommended treatments for sleep apnea, these devices only sometimes work for some. In some cases, their sleep apnea may be related to their jawline alignment, dental health, or other underlying conditions. In these cases, oral appliance therapy can help.
How oral appliance therapy treats sleep apnea at JawMatrix
Oral appliance therapy provides custom-fitted oral appliances that open the upper airways and reposition the mandibular bone and tongue forward. As an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, these devices can be used as an alternative or in combination with CPAP treatment. At JawMatrix, we provide two types of devices:
- Mandibular Repositioners: Mandibular Repositioners pull the mandible and tongue forward. These devices act as snore guards by repositioning these areas forward and can treat mild to moderate forms of sleep apnea.
- Tongue-Retaining Devices: Tongue-retaining devices work by adhering to the tongue by suction and pulling it forward. Although less commonly found in clinical practices, it acts similar to a sports mouth guard and can be used for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Our team can prescribe these devices to help reduce poor sleep nights and help you regain your energy and focus throughout the day. We will make sure that your custom-fitted devices are comfortable and will make sure you experience fulfilling progress with our treatment.
Our doctors will work with you to achieve your goals for jaw pain and sleep apnea relief. Contact JawMatrix inBurbank, CA, to schedule an appointment today!