If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, see your dentist, but not just any dentist. You need to visit a dental sleep medicine dentist.

Dental sleep medicine is an amazing alternative for snoring and sleeping disorders. It is amazing because it is not as cumbersome as CPAP therapy.

CPAP Therapy for OSA

People who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea know that CPAP therapy works well and is the most common form of treatment. However, some don’t find it very comfortable. In fact, some abandon the entire treatment because they just can’t deal with it.

For those that don’t know, CPAP therapy consists of a hose connected to a mask and a machine. That machine forces air down the throat to keep it open. Thankfully there are more conservative treatments including oral appliance therapy or OAT.

What is OSA?

According to Dr. Steven C. Greenman, dental sleep medicine doctor, obstructive sleep apnea can be a serious ailment if left untreated.

Because apnea causes the throat to close while sleeping a person suffering can wake up as many as 30 times or more every hour.

This is hard on every part of the body, including the heart. In fact, people are in the high risk category for heart attack and stroke if they do not treat obstructive sleep apnea.

Signs of OSA include

• Waking with dry mouth
• Morning headaches and neck aches
• Mood swings
• Loss of libido
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Trouble staying awake
• Loud snoring
• Waking up gasping or choking
• Observed breathing cessations

If you have obstructive sleep apnea you know that the symptoms can be life threatening. Thankfully, Dr. Greenman and his team have a solution with oral appliance therapy.

Oral Appliance Therapy for OSA

Your dental sleep medicine dentist explains that oral appliance therapy uses splints and custom made mouth guards to help you sleep.

The splints and mouth guards are made to gently keep the throat open so that you can breathe and get a better night’s sleep.

More conservative and less cumbersome patients love the convenience and comfort of oral appliance therapy and rarely abandon the treatment.

Dental Sleep Medicine Westlake Village

If you are tired of dealing with your CPAP, or have not sought therapy for your obstructive sleep apnea, schedule an appointment.

Dr. Greenman is a dental sleep medicine specialist who can help you get a better night’s sleep.

Schedule a consultation for oral appliance therapy for OSA today.