Sleep Apnea Dental Appliance In Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where the muscles around your throat and tongue relax, causing the flow of air to your lungs to be blocked by the tissues as you sleep. When diagnosed with this condition, your doctor may discuss several options with you, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or dental appliances.

If CPAP fails, you may have to opt for dental appliances. These mouth devices have to be custom-made by your dentist and should be worn at night. There are various types of dental appliances for sleep apnea. Here are the two most common ones:

Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD)

It is the most commonly used dental appliance for the treatment of sleep apnea. You may notice that it resembles a sports mouthguard. The device snaps over both dental arches and have metal hinges that enable forward motion of the lower jaw.

Tongue Retaining Device

Unlike the mandibular advancement device, this one is used less. This device is a splint that keeps your tongue in position to ensure the airway is always kept open. It improves sleep and reduces the loudness and frequency of snoring for sleep apnea patients, especially those who sleep on their stomachs or backs.

Studies indicate that compared to CPAP, people use their mouth appliances more regularly. Also, dental devices control sleep apnea in the long term as compared to uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). UPPP is a surgical procedure for the treatment of apnea. During this procedure, the soft tissue at the back of your throat is removed.

Sleep apnea treatment is dependent on your upper airway structure, the severity of your condition, and medical issues, among other factors. 

Looking for a sleep apnea treatment clinic near you? Give us a call to schedule your consultation for sleep apnea treatment in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Our dentist near you can help you get the sleep apnea treatment you need.