Who Can Benefit from a Dental Device for Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a prevalent sleep disorder, but it often goes undiagnosed. If you have the condition, it can significantly impact your overall health and well-being. 

Fortunately, Steven Wilk, DDS, and our team here at Denver Sleep Apnea in Denver, Colorado, stay on the cutting edge of dental advancements, so we can give our patients the best treatments.

One of those includes dental devices that treat sleep apnea, but how do you know if they’re right for you? Let’s explore the topic.

Understanding the signs of sleep apnea

Signs of sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring
• Abrupt awakenings with gasping or choking
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Morning headaches
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Forgetfulness
• Restless sleep
• Frequent urination at night

One of the main indicators can be easily recognized if you have a bed partner who notices that you have pauses in your breathing during sleep. 

If you think you might have sleep apnea, Dr. Wilk can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment.

How a dental device treats sleep apnea

Primarily, if you’re diagnosed with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you can greatly benefit from using a dental device like a mandibular advancement device (MAD) or a  tongue-retaining device (TRD).

OSA occurs when the muscles in your throat relax excessively during sleep, leading to intermittent breathing pauses that disrupt your normal airflow. 

Dental devices can reposition your jaw to prevent airway blockages that can happen while you’re sleeping, thereby reducing the occurrence of breathing interruptions.

Who can benefit from a sleep apnea dental device?

Here are some key groups of people that can benefit from these devices:

For those who don’t like CPAP machines

CPAP machines are commonly prescribed for sleep apnea, but some people may find them uncomfortable, claustrophobic, inconvenient, and challenging to use. If that’s you, dental devices offer an excellent alternative that’s more comfortable and easier to incorporate into your nightly routine.

For those who want a noninvasive approach

If you prefer a noninvasive approach to managing your sleep apnea, you might find dental devices appealing. Unlike surgical interventions, which may carry risks and require recovery time, oral appliances offer a conservative yet effective treatment option. 

For travelers

Frequent travelers or those who spend a great deal of time away from home find dental devices advantageous because of their portability. These appliances are compact, making them convenient for use during travel without the need for bulky equipment or power sources, unlike CPAP machines.

For those with certain physical features

If you have features like a small jaw or large tongue, they can contribute to airway blockage. However, a dental device can keep your airway open by moving your lower jaw forward, preventing collapse and allowing uninterrupted breathing while you sleep.

Why a dental device might not work for some

Not everyone with sleep apnea is an ideal candidate for a dental device. Severe cases of sleep apnea may require more aggressive treatments. 

That’s why we highly recommend that you schedule an appointment with Dr. Wilk if you show signs of sleep apnea. He can determine the severity of your condition and provide an excellent, personalized solution. 

If a sleep device is right for you, we make yours custom-fit, so it’s comfortable while adjusting your jaw position — all without invasive procedures. The goal is to improve your sleep quality and overall health.

To learn more about dental devices for sleep apnea, reach out to our friendly office staff at 303-758-4865, or use the online scheduling tool any time, day or night.