Sleep Apnea Therapy – Enfield, CT

Getting an adequate amount of high-quality sleep each night is extremely important to your overall health. Unfortunately, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) robs many people of the sleep they need to function and feel their best. Here at Four Town Dental, our dentists understand OSA and are qualified to offer oral appliance therapy to help patients find relief. Read on to learn more about OSA and how our team may be able to equip you to break free from it.

What Is Sleep Apnea Therapy?

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OSA occurs when soft tissues in the mouth or throat, such as the tongue or soft palate, overrelax during sleep. They thus block the airway and lead to pauses in breathing (apneas). Sleep apnea therapy is a term that can apply to any means used to bring about relief from OSA. Such therapies focus on manipulating the tissues in the mouth in a way that prevents them from causing apneas. For example, the most commonly prescribed OSA treatment, a CPAP machine, uses gently pressured air to keep obstructive tissues from blocking the airway. However, many patients prefer oral appliance therapy over a CPAP.

How Does Oral Appliance Therapy Work?

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An oral sleep appliance resembles a mouthguard that you would wear for sports. However, instead of aiming to protect the teeth, an oral sleep appliance gently repositions the jaw at night, pulling it slightly forward. This new positioning is able to prevent apneas for most patients with mild to moderate OSA. Oral appliance therapy offers a number of advantages over a CPAP machine. For example, an oral appliance is quite small, never makes any noise, and is portable enough to take anywhere.

Do You Need Sleep Apnea Therapy?

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If you are experiencing some or all of the following symptoms, it is possible that you have OSA and would benefit from sleep apnea therapy:

• Loud, frequent snoring
• Insomnia or restless sleep
• Regularly waking up with a dry mouth and/or headache
• Daytime exhaustion
• Trouble concentrating
• Irritability and depression

Benefits of Sleep Apnea Therapy

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Soon after you begin sleep apnea therapy, you should notice a significant improvement in your daily life. Your partner will be relieved that you no longer snore, and you may be happier and more productive. OSA treatment also offers long-term benefits. Regularly getting an adequate amount of high-quality sleep will lower your risk of a number of serious health problems, including heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and more. You will also be at a reduced risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident.

Cost of Sleep Apnea Therapy

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Oral appliances often cost less than a CPAP machine, and many types of insurance cover sleep apnea therapy. When you visit us for your consultation, we will give you upfront pricing information so you completely understand your financial obligation. We can also help you apply for affordable financing through CareCredit if necessary.

Are you ready to find out if oral appliance therapy is right for you? Contact Four Town Dental to learn more about this potentially life-changing treatment.