Although scientists still are trying to find out why people need sleep, research on the sleep of animals show that sleep is necessary for survival.  Some experts believe sleep allows the body to repair itself: during sleep many cells show increased production of proteins, the essentials building blocks needed for cell growth and repair from stress and ultraviolet rays.  The fact that many biochemicals and physiological processes take place during sleep has led to consensus among researchers that adequate sleep is essential to health and wellness.

A look at the impact of sleep loss on physiological and cognitive functions can also help shed on the purpose of sleep.  Some of the functions include memory and attention, complex thoughts, motor response, and emotional control.  But sleep loss does far more than make us grumpy and groggy.  In the past few years, investigators have found that sleep loss may have harmful consequences for our immune system, as well as contribute to serious illness such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois, a premiere snoring and apnea treatment center in Naperville, has been providing the CPAP alternative treatment of oral appliance therapy for over 15 years successfully. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option call us at (630) 369-5508.

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Please watch this important sleep apnea video on helpful questions on medical coverage for oral appliance therapy, the most frequently prescribed CPAP alternative for apnea treatment.  It also covers what criteria is needed for medical insurance coverage that your doctor’s office will need for filing your claim.

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Usually comparative studies of oral appliance and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to treat obstructive sleep apnea are small and with limitations.

Recently in a randomized crossover trial that involved 126 obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, researchers compared CPAP with an adjustable mandibular advancement device that was adjusted to the most comfortable maximum limit.  Sleep apnea was shown in patients mild, moderate and severe and the study lasted one month.

The baseline apnea index (AHI) was 26 events per hour.  AHI was markedly decreased both in CPAP and oral device.  But mean on-treatment AHI was significantly lower with CPAP 5 vs. 11 events/hr, and the proportion of patients whose AHI normalized was higher with CPAP (about 75% vs. 40%).   The AHI difference between treatment groups of OSA and CPAP patients was striking between patients with severe OSA and moderate OSA.  Patient compliance was significantly higher with the mandibular device than with CPAP (average reported use 6.5% vs. 5.2 hours).

Blood pressure was measured for 24 hours and were unchanged in both groups.  Equally improved daytime sleepiness was seen in both groups.  When eight quality of life indicators were evaluated, the mandibular appliance was equal to CPAP in four indicators and superior to CPAP in four indicators.

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois, a premiere snoring and apnea treatment center in Naperville has been providing the CPAP alternative treatment of oral appliance therapy for over 15 years successfully. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option, visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com or call us at (630) 369-5508.

We recently had a patient explain to us that when she was diagnosed with sleep apnea the only treatment option she as given was CPAP therapy.  She was desperate to know what other treatment options are available as a CPAP alternative.

Unfortunately, most patients I have seen over the last 15 years of working with obstructive sleep apnea sufferers have mentioned that CPAP therapy was their only option.   Yes, there are options!  However, which option that is best for you does depend on several things.  The severity of the apnea, sleepiness and fatigue levels during the day, and other complicated health conditions will play a part on the decision the doctor will make in managing your apnea treatment.  But the most common treatments options include the following.

Behavior Management

• Weight loss is highly recommended if needed.
• Avoid alcohol, sedatives, and tobacco
• Stress management
• Change your body position during sleep

Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Device

• Most common and effective treatment for sleep apnea and is the “Gold Standard” of care for obstructive sleep apnea.
• To keep the airway open positive air pressure is provided through the mask to keep the airway open during sleep

Oral Appliance Therapy

• Often very effective for mild to moderate apnea patients or for those people that are unable to tolerate CPAP therapy.
• These apnea mouth devices change the position of the mouth structure to maintain an open airway in the throat.
• It is important to work with a specially trained dentist with knowledge of jaw joints and sleep disorders.  Diplomates of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine have completed a rigorous testing process.
• There are many types of oral appliances, and the selection as to which is to be constructed is based on many patient parameters.

Surgery

• May be mentioned depending on the case severity and patient’s airway and throat anatomy.
• Except where abnormalities are present (nasal polyps, enlarged tonsils, deviated septum, or jaw malformations) surgery is only 50% effective, and many cases, which are in initially successful fail within five years.

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois, a premiere snoring and apnea treatment center in Naperville has been providing the CPAP alternative treatment of oral appliance therapy for over 15 years successfully. We are extremely passionate in helping individuals that have been struggling with CPAP therapy in Naperville, Wheaton, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option, visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com or call us at (630)369-5508.

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In our last blog, Another Successful CPAP Alternative Case in Naperville!, we described how it took years for one of our patients to go from being diagnosed with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea to getting great high quality sleep. Years of struggling with CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure machine) problems had finally been stopped with the use of a custom made professionally prescribed mouth retainer (oral appliance therapy). No snoring, improved energy, and just good sleep!

Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, prescribing physicians often overlook oral appliance therapy (OAT) for the treatment of snoring and apnea. Here are just a few reasons why:

• Lack of knowledge about oral appliance therapy within the physicians’ world remains the primary reason for lack of guidance towards OAT.
• For many, especially moderate to severe cases, or those that are very sleepy during the day, CPAP remains their best quickest option, at least early on.
• Very unfortunate remains the fact that physicians who ARE aware of OAT feel that these devices are too expensive and may not work, and may discourage patients from even trying oral appliance therapy. This truly saddens me.
• Some geographical areas do not have many dentists who are trained in snoring and apnea treatment. Rarely is this area taught in dental schools.
• Some medical facilities obtain revenues from the CPAP industry, and as a result have a financial interest in having patients go the CPAP route. Their focus is often on what is easily accessible, and what has the highest success rates (if used).
• OAT crosses the MD – -DDS barrier more than any other dental treatment. Ongoing communications between these worlds are often minimally existent.  Both sectors are needed and it takes effort to coordinate treatment and referral process.
• Medical facilities often lack a highly evolved system in following up with previously diagnosed patients. Many just fall though the cracks and alternatives are rarely given.

It has been well over 15 years when I had first entered the world of dental sleep medicine. Reflecting on this, I am amazed that many obstacles to treatment that were present then are still present today.  Obstacles of getting good sleep through custom oral devices have not changed. My professional ‘wish’ in the world of dental sleep medicine is that the medical and dental worlds unite, and put the patient’s sleep their number one priority by directing them to the best treatment for their snoring and apnea condition.

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois, a premiere snoring and apnea treatment center in Naperville, has been providing the CPAP alternative treatment of oral appliance therapy for over 15 years successfully. We are extremely passionate in helping individuals that have been struggling with CPAP therapy in Naperville, Lisle, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option call us at (630) 369-5508.

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