Sleep Apnea Treatment In Springfield, MO
Sleep apnea is more than a bad night’s sleep. With obstructive sleep apnea, your airway repeatedly narrows or closes while you sleep, interrupting your breathing and your rest. Left untreated, it’s linked to serious health problems. At Elevate Dental Studio, we offer oral appliance therapy, a comfortable way to treat sleep apnea without a CPAP machine.
Personalized Sleep Apnea Solutions
Our dentists treat obstructive sleep apnea and snoring with custom sleep apnea night guards, also called oral appliances, from Panthera. A sleep apnea night guard is not the same as a typical night guard for teeth grinding. It’s a type of mandibular advancement device: two pieces, one for your upper teeth and one for your lower teeth, joined so they hold your lower jaw slightly forward while you sleep. That forward position helps keep your airway open. Each appliance is designed from a digital scan of your teeth, and its position can be adjusted in small steps until it’s right for you.
Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy
Comfort and Convenience
Forget the mask and hoses. Your sleep apnea night guard is small enough to slip into a travel bag, and it doesn’t get in the way when you want to talk or take a sip of water at night.
Better Sleep for You (and Your Partner)
Keeping your airway open reduces pauses in breathing and cuts down on snoring, so many patients wake up feeling more rested.
Protecting Your Health
Untreated sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Effective treatment is an important step toward protecting your long-term health.
The Sleep Apnea Treatment Process
At-Home Sleep Test and Diagnosis
Treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis. We provide an easy at-home sleep test, then work with your physician to confirm the diagnosis and get a prescription for your oral appliance.
Digital Scan and Bite Registration
At your first appointment, we take a quick digital scan of your teeth, with no messy impressions, and record your bite. Your appliance is then custom-made to fit your mouth.
Delivery and Adjustments
About two weeks later, you’ll come back to pick up your appliance. We’ll check the fit, show you how to wear and care for it, and schedule adjustment visits as needed to fine-tune it.
Questions about Sleep Apnea Treatment, Answered.
Is an oral appliance as effective as a CPAP machine?
CPAP is a common treatment, but it isn’t the only option. An oral appliance for sleep apnea works well for many patients, especially those with mild to moderate sleep apnea or those who can’t tolerate CPAP. Your physician and Dr. Cline will help you decide which treatment is right for you.
Do I need a sleep study first?
Yes. A sleep study is needed to diagnose sleep apnea. We make it simple with an at-home sleep test, and we coordinate with your physician on the results and prescription.
Is a sleep apnea night guard the same as a regular night guard for teeth grinding?
No. A regular night guard, also called an occlusal guard, protects your teeth from clenching and grinding but does nothing for sleep apnea. A sleep apnea night guard holds your lower jaw slightly forward to keep your airway open. If you need help with grinding or TMJ pain, we offer custom night guards for that too.
Does insurance cover a sleep apnea appliance?
Because sleep apnea is a medical condition, dental insurance plans usually don’t cover sleep appliances. We’ll review the cost with you before treatment and can walk you through our financing options.
settle In…
… And Smile
Our dentists are dedicated to helping you get better sleep and better health. Contact Elevate Dental Studio today to learn more about oral appliance therapy and start your journey to a more restful night’s sleep.
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