Treatment of Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Loud, chronic snoring can be an indication of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This common condition can have serious consequences for your long-term health, as well as negatively affecting your current wellbeing. Fortunately, Dr. Toan Tran may be able to treat your OSA with a custom-made oral appliance that is less cumbersome than regular CPAP machines.

CPAP Machines Versus Oral Appliances

In the past, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines were the standard of care for sleep apnea. A mask would fit over your mouth and nose, providing a steady stream of air that would keep your airways open as you slept. Although many sleep experts continue to use these devices, more health care professionals have become aware of the problems associated with CPAP machines. First, the devices can be bulky and inconvenient. Many patients also find them to be uncomfortable and are unable to sleep while wearing the mask. Other problems with CPAP machines include air being pumped into a patient's stomach, mask dislodgement making the treatment ineffective, and the noise produced by the machine.

Based on the understanding of these problems, more practitioners are now using oral appliance therapy (OAT) to treat the condition. If you have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, Dr. Tran can provide a simple, custom-made splint that fits over your teeth to realign your jaw. As the splint repositions your mouth, it keeps your tongue and the soft tissues of your throat from closing your airway. Additionally, the device is custom-made for each patient so it is easy to adjust and use. Best of all, oral appliances are quite effective. According to the journal Sleep, published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, both CPAP machines and oral appliances can provide significant improvement for patients with mild to moderate OSA.

Only a dentist can fabricate, fit, adjust, monitor, and treat complications associated with Oral Appliance Therapy used in managing sleep related breathing disorder (SRBD). If you or a loved one is experiencing any combination of the signs and symptoms mentioned above, we recommend a consultation with Dr. Tran to determine the best treatment for your concerns.

Why Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea causes chronic disruptions to your breathing during the night because your soft palate, throat, and/or tongue droops while you are asleep. This can prevent the proper flow of air and, in many cases, will also cause severe snoring. Each time you stop breathing, you will either wake up or unconsciously move to a lighter stage of sleep, preventing you from getting a complete night of rest.

OSA can cause much more serious health problems than just snoring including:

  • Chronic fatigue or daytime sleepiness
  • Insomnia
  • Frequent headaches
  • Waking up with a sore or dry throat
  • Depression, anxiety, or irritability
  • Forgetfulness
  • Increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke
  • Increased risk of diabetes
  • Increased risk of obesity

Learn More About Comfortable Oral Appliance Therapy for OSA

Dr. Toan Tran is an expert in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and he will work with you to choose the right treatment for your condition. At Mangrove Bay Dentistry, we can help improve your sleep pattern through accurate diagnosis, comfortable appliance therapy, and by monitoring the effects of this therapy. Dr. Tran will also collaborate with your physicians to maximize your overall systemic health by restoring the regular flow of oxygen into your lungs all through the night.

Schedule your obstructive sleep apnea consultation with Dr. Tran today!

Call (813) 544-6778

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