Snoring and Obstructive sleep apnea can also affect families. Snoring can keep your bed partner awake. Some partners try to stay awake to ensure their partner starts breathing again every time they stop breathing. Lack of sleep can place strain on a relationship.
If you are snoring and essentially looking for a management plan without a known diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep apnea, there are a few design options that may help to prevent snoring. However, it is important to make sure that you are not suffering from sleep apnea.
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea has an increased risk of developing a number of medical conditions such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, stroke, depression, etc., Obstructive sleep apnoea may also contribute to driving and work-related accidents due to excessive daytime sleepiness, which affects concentration, cognition, memory, and ability to work effectively. People with obstructive sleep apnea are at least 4 times more likely to have a motor vehicle accident. The drowsiness caused by obstructive sleep apnoea is comparable to the consumption of alcohol and drugs. Evidence shows that individuals with moderate to severe sleep apnoea are at an increased risk of death due to one of the above medical conditions.
Oral appliance therapy can be beneficial in improving
Several treatments are available for obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. Oral appliance for sleep apnea is often used when the patient has mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea. These devices are beneficial for patients who poorly tolerate CPAP. Also, they are easy to carry. We will provide a detailed exam and treatment plan if you are considering oral appliance therapy. If you will be a suitable candidate for oral appliance therapy, we have options to work for a tailored treatment plan. Feel free to check with us if you need more information.
Know more about COAT- A treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Oral appliance therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea that fits easily into your lifestyle. A dental oral appliance looks like a sports mouthguard and is worn only during sleep. It supports the jaw in a forward position to help maintain an open upper airway, preventing sleep apnea and snoring.
Once you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea by a sleep physician, a dentist experienced in dental sleep medicine can make a custom-fitted oral appliance using impressions and models of your teeth. Oral appliance therapy is covered by many medical insurance plans. Patients like it because it’s comfortable, easy to wear, quiet, portable, convenient for travel and easy to clean.
Treating snoring or sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy can help you feel like a new person. You will find that your symptoms, and your quality of life, can improve dramatically when you remain committed to your treatment and use it nightly. Custom-fit oral appliances can improve your sleep, restore your alertness, and revitalize your health.
If you have concerns about snoring and sleep apnea, it may be time to make an appointment. If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, I can recommend a sleep physician to help get you started on your path to treatment. If you have already been diagnosed with sleep apnea, I can fit you with an oral appliance. Our team at our center is ready to answer your questions about obstructive sleep apnea, dental sleep medicine, and oral appliance therapy.
In order to provide a custom made oral appliance, we need the following:
- Sleep study reports
- Prior treatment information
- a referral or prescription from your provider if you have one
- your health history
Our team will work with your medical provider to manage sleep apnea that including the fabrication and use of oral appliances.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, feel free to contact us
Common symptoms of OSA include:
- Loud or frequent snoring
- Silent pauses in breathing during sleep
- Choking or gasping sounds during sleep
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Waking in the morning and not feeling refreshed
- Insomnia
- Morning headaches
- Waking during the night to go to the bathroom
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory loss
- Decreased sexual desire
- Irritability
According to new studies, patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could be at increased risk of adverse outcomes from COVID-191, including death2. If you experience any of the common symptoms of OSA listed above, we encourage you to contact our office to schedule an OSA screening exam today.
Insurance coverage for oral devices for sleep apnea:
Most insurance companies cover oral devices for sleep apnea if the treatment is medically necessary. Some insurance companies require reauthorization. To be sure, it is suggested you call your insurance company to determine if it is a covered service.
Financing options are available if you choose to pay out of pocket or for a sleep apnea device. So they don’t get flagged as having a pre-existing medical condition. People who have been classified as having a pre-existing condition, such as sleep apnea, may experience a rise in their insurance premiums. Some people are unable to qualify for insurance (both health and life insurance) if they have been diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Full payment for the appliance is due at the time of obtaining impression and oral records. We can check the insurance benefits, get pre-authorizations if needed, and can file insurance claims on your behalf for insurance reimbursement. Any payments received will be credited to your account or refunded to you at the time of discharge from our office. Feel free to contact us for more information
Additional information:
- Miller MA, Cappuccio FP, A systematic review of COVID-19 and obstructive sleep apnoea, Sleep Medicine Reviews, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2020.101382.
- Cade BE, Dashti HS, Hassan SM, Redline S, Karlson EW. Sleep Apnea and COVID-19 Mortality and Hospitalization. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2020 Sep 18. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202006-2252LE. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32946275.
- Schwartz D, Addy N, Levine M, Smith H. Oral appliance therapy should be prescribed as a first-line therapy for OSA during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Dent Sleep Med. 2020;7(3). http://dx.doi.org/10.15331/jdsm.7138