Oral Appliance Therapy, or OAT for short, uses a special mouthguard. These oral appliances change the position of your jaw when you sleep, which prevents oral tissue from sagging into your airway. This means that your breathing won't be interrupted at night. OAT is ideal for patients with minor-to-moderate apnea.

Your sleep specialist and your sleep apnea dentist may make some lifestyle recommendations to help with obstructive sleep apnea. These may include quitting smoking, exercising, losing weight, avoiding drugs and alcohol (especially before bed), and sleeping on your side, rather than on your back or your stomach.

CPAP is short for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. This is a apnea dental appliance that pumps a steady, gentle stream of pressurized air into your airway through a face mask. This stream prevents your airway tissue from collapsing, which prevents obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP therapy is usually recommended for patients with more severe sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. This condition is typically caused by a blockage in the airway, often when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep. There are also other types of sleep apnea, like central sleep apnea, which is less common and occurs when the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center.

Several factors can contribute to the onset of sleep apnea, including excess weight, having a large neck size, being older, having a family history of sleep apnea, using alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers, smoking, and having a nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, allergies, or sinus problems.

Certain factors and behaviors can exacerbate sleep apnea symptoms. Consuming alcohol or sedatives before bed can relax the muscles in the throat, making it more likely for the airway to become blocked. Smoking can also worsen sleep apnea, as it causes inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway.

Being overweight is another major factor that can make sleep apnea worse. Excess weight contributes to fat deposits around the upper airway that can obstruct breathing. In addition, certain sleeping positions, such as lying on your back, can cause the tongue and soft palate to rest against the back of your throat, blocking the airway.

Addressing sleep apnea involves a multifaceted approach, recognizing the chronic nature of the condition and the need for long-term management. Lifestyle modifications serve as a crucial starting point, offering effective strategies to alleviate symptoms. For individuals with sleep apnea, weight loss, smoking cessation, the avoidance of alcohol and specific medications, and adjustments to sleep positions can significantly contribute to symptom relief.

In cases where lifestyle changes may not suffice, medical interventions become essential. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy stands as a frontline treatment, involving a machine that delivers a controlled air pressure through a mask, preventing upper airway obstruction during sleep. Additionally, alternative airway pressure devices and oral appliances, such as mandibular advancement devices, work towards maintaining an open throat, proving effective for certain individuals.

For more severe instances, surgical options come into consideration. Various surgical procedures aim to enlarge the airway, subsequently reducing the frequency of sleep apnea episodes. The selection of a specific surgical approach is contingent upon the underlying cause and severity of the condition. In navigating the complexities of sleep apnea management, consulting with healthcare professionals is crucial for tailored recommendations that align with individual needs and circumstances.