Sleep Prosthodontics for Obstructive Airway Treatment
Daniel Tebbi DMD Cosmetic Dentistry And Orthodontics,
Encino California 91436
Sleep apnea can be quite depressing as it affects both the physical and mental health of a person. Some of its symptoms are sleep deprivation, insomnia, persistent headaches, mild memory loss, reduced levels of patience, restlessness, irritation in the throat, etc. All these symptoms call for a treatment solution that helps to provide relief from the condition.
What exactly is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a combined sleeping and breathing disorder. Patients with sleep apnea often experience short pauses in breathing which is caused by an obstruction in the throat. This, however, is a mild form of sleep apnea. In the severe form, the roof of the throat completely collapses and blocks the airway. This is caused due to excessive relaxation of the muscles of the throat which is a result of continuous snoring.
Treatment
Sleep apnea can be treated using certain dental appliances, which is one of the simplest means of countering the disorder. The main working principle of such dental appliances is to keep the airway open and prevent the collapse of the tissues of the throat. Two of the most popularly used dental appliances are:
- Mandibular advancement device: This is an oral appliance made from dental grade plastic material. It will be fabricated to perfectly fit in the throat. The dentist would place it in position and make sure it is comfortably fitting. The device brings the lower jaw forward in a gentle way, thereby expanding the opening to the airway. It also holds the roof of the throat intact, which prevents the collapse of the tissues.
- Tongue retaining device: This is quite an effective dental appliance that prevents the rollback of the tongue (or commonly known as tongue swallowing). It commonly occurs when a person snores too much. When it occurs, the tongue could block the airway completely and cut off the oxygen supply to the lungs. The appliance helps to keep the tongue in place and ensure you get better, uninterrupted sleep.
Both of these dental solutions are comprehensive and non-invasive. They can be customized to fit perfectly and prevent discomfort.
Call us at (818) 789-2034 or schedule an online appointment to have a consultation with Dr. Daniel Tebbi at our practice in Encino, CA.
