When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep – for sleep apnea sufferers – the struggle is real. Even if you receive an accurate diagnosis, you may end up with the less-than-ideal CPAP system for treatment. Unfortunately, the majority of sleep apnea sufferers are deemed CPAP intolerant. However, you may be able to find an effective treatment in an unlikely place – the dentist’s office. That’s right dentists offer a wide range of sleep apnea appliances to help patients breathe deeply and sleep soundly. One of the most effective apnea appliances on the market is the Oasys Herbst device.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is the cessation of breathing for ten or more seconds at a time during sleep. This can occur due to miscommunication between the head and body, but this form of apnea, central sleep apnea, is very rare. The more common form is known as obstructive sleep apnea, and as the name implies, it occurs due to a physical blockage of the airway. This is the type of sleep apnea that can be treated using a custom oral appliance from your trusted dentistry office.
How do Dentists Help with Sleep Apnea?
Dentists have advanced training in how the oral and facial structures work together to allow patients to chew, breathe, speak, and smile. That includes a complete understanding of the airway system. For this reason, dentists are ideal practitioners to assist patients with treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Specifically, dentists offer patients oral appliance therapy to reposition the jaw forward, placing pressure on the throat and keeping the airway clear during sleep. There are a wide range of oral appliances, and a skilled dentist will help you find the best one to treat your specific sleep apnea needs.
What Makes the Oasys Herbst Appliance so Unique?
Unlike other oral appliances that only serve as a mandibular repositioning tool to open the blocked airway, the Oasys Herbst appliance is also indicated for use as a nasal dilator. That means it addresses both obstructions of the airway in the throat and opens the nasal sinuses. For this reason, patients can use the Oasys Herbst appliance to treat snoring, sleep apnea, and upper airway resistance syndrome. This versatile oral appliance is comfortable and proven effective in improving sleep for the majority of patients who choose this sleep apnea device.
Meet Dr. Marks
At the State College sleep dentistry practice of Donald M. Marks, DMD, we are passionate about helping sleep apnea sufferers improve their quantity and quality of sleep. With high quality, custom sleep apnea appliances like Oasys Herbst devices, we’re able to do just that. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea, are CPAP intolerant, or are demonstrating warning signs of sleep apnea onset, please call State College Dental Sleep Medicine to schedule a sleep apnea consultation. We’ll be happy to help you receive a diagnosis or discuss your potential treatment options to ensure you sleep deeply and feel your very best.