Sleep Apnea Treatment: Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) in Pikesville

You may be able to improve your sleep quality and breathing by wearing a custom-made oral appliance. Our Naylor’s Court Dental Partners dental teams have been creating these custom-made devices for many years, and we would be honored to help you. Contact our Pikesville clinic to find out more about all of our custom-made oral appliances.

What Can I Expect When I’m Coping With Sleep Apnea?

If you’ve been diagnosed with this type of sleep-related breathing condition, you’ll experience interrupted breathing patterns when you’re asleep. This may decrease your oxygen saturation levels, and it puts a lot of stress on your cardiovascular system. Although this disorder can occur in children and young adults, it usually develops after the age of 40.

What Do I Need to Know About Sleep Apnea Symptoms?

When you’re coping with this sleep-related breathing disorder, it’s important to monitor your symptoms. You may notice some of these signs:

• Choking or gasping during sleep
• Disruptions in breathing during sleep
• Loud or frequent snoring
• Dry mouth or sore throat symptoms after waking up
• Morning headaches
• Daytime fatigue
• Anxiety or depression
• Night sweats
• Insomnia

Which Sleep Apnea Causes Should I Be Aware Of?

Normally, your throat muscles are stiff while you’re awake. This allows air to reach your lungs without any interruptions. During sleep, your throat muscles will relax, and this makes your throat narrow. When the throat is narrow, some patients may experience obstructions that block the flow of air. You’re at an increased risk of developing an obstruction if you’re in any of the following groups:

1. You’re a man.
2. You have a family history of this type of breathing disorder.
3. Your weight is classified as overweight or obese.
4. You have a neck circumference of more than 16 inches.
5. You have difficulty breathing through your nose.
6. You have congestive heart failure, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or asthma.

Which Treatments Could Be Beneficial for Me?

If you’re experiencing mild symptoms, lifestyle changes may help you feel better. To improve your breathing, you might be advised to lose weight. Additionally, sleeping on your side could reduce snoring and interruptions in breathing.

To keep your airway open, you may want to consider wearing an oral appliance while you sleep. The device pushes your jaw forward, and this makes it easier to breathe. When you use an oral appliance, you’ll need to visit your dentist for frequent checkups during the first year. Your dental team will ask you about your symptoms, and they will evaluate the fit of your appliance. After 12 months, your dentist will follow your progress at routine checkups.

Positive airway pressure devices can help you manage moderate to severe symptoms. Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are two types of machines that your physician may recommend. You might need to experiment with different styles to find the fit that works for you.

Surgical procedures may be considered in severe cases. After evaluating your symptoms, your surgeon might suggest nerve stimulation, jaw repositioning, tissue shrinkage or tissue removal. If these options aren’t successful, you may need to have a tracheostomy. This procedure uses a metal or plastic tube to construct a new airway.

If you need help with managing sleep apnea in Pikesville, contact our dental clinic for an examination. Our team members will assess your symptoms, and we can help you understand whether a custom-made oral appliance would work for your needs.

How Could I Benefit From Wearing an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea?

Wearing a sleep apnea mouthpiece feels very similar to using an orthodontic retainer or a mouth guard for sports. You should wear your mouthpiece during sleep. It will keep your jaw in a forward position, allowing your airway to stay open. With regular use, your sleep apnea mouth guard should decrease snoring, interrupted breathing and other symptoms.

How Much Should I Expect to Pay for an Oral Appliance?

If you have medical insurance, the cost of your device will be determined by your insurance provider. Since oral appliances are available in many different styles, the final cost will also be influenced by the specific style you select. We will provide cost estimates during your appointment, and our billing team can assist with any questions you may have.

Is Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) Right for Me?

If you’re hoping to reduce your symptoms without surgery, OAT may meet your needs. OAT is a non-invasive treatment that is portable and convenient. While BiPAP and CPAP machines can be hard to maintain, you can use a soft toothbrush and mild soap to take care of your oral appliance. To explore your OAT options, contact our Naylor’s Court Dental Partners team members in Pikesville to schedule a consultation.

Is OAT Covered by Health Insurance?

Most health insurance companies provide some type of coverage for OAT. Your insurance provider may offer partial or complete coverage for this treatment. To find out how much you’ll need to pay for your oral appliance for sleep apnea in Pikesville, contact your health insurance company for more details.