Sleep apnea could possibly be a dangerous and pressing health concern particularly if it gets further worse as the days go by. When a patient is diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, they are usually prescribed a CPAP machine which functions like a reverse vacuum dental ultrasonic cleaner to keep the airway open. It consists of a mask fitted over the mouth and nose which is attached to a compressor-like machine via a hose through which room air is forced.
A specially trained dentist utilizes airway testing with a Pharyngometer and Rhinometer to verify airway size and collapsibility as well as to predict success with an oral appliance. Mouthpiece for sleep apnea is often called oral appliance. It could specifically help sufferers of mild sleep apnea. Such instruments are usually recommended to people who snore very loudly, whether they have sleep apnea or none.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when the tongue falls back into the throat and blocks the airway. Partial obstruction typically causes snoring and complete obstruction causes a cessation of breathing in addition to snoring. Severe cases in adults could call for the use of CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure and denta air polisher. It is a special machine that uses a mask so it could fit over the nose and the mouth.
Mandibular advancement appliances (MAA) have been shown to safely and effectively treat mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study is conducted in a hospital or sleep laboratory. Just recently, unattended home sleep studies such as the Watch-Pat 100 and dental burs are available to physicians and dentists and approved by the FDA for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea.
Dentist's treating sleep apnea can also use the Watch-PAT 100 to verify the effectiveness of an oral appliance. No patient should be given an oral appliance without the follow-up of an unattended sleep study or repeat PSG.
