How does your dentist choose the right mouthpiece for your sleep apnea?

Reviewed by Dr. Joseph Salim, DMD (written by the Sutton Place Dental Associates editor)

Anxiety, depression, and exhaustion are logical reasons behind lack of sleep and restless nights. The more uncommon explanations come from other ailments plaguing the normal daily functionalities of the human body.

Gasping for air when either asleep or awake. It's not a good sign for your health. One reason people gasp for air can be sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is directly related to so many other health issues, including depression, oral health and anxiety.

Although continuous positive airway (CPAP) pressure therapy is the most recommended treatment for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), not all patients are able to remain compliant with this form of treatment. Some complain of claustrophobia, dry nasal passages, skin irritation from masks, difficulty tolerating pressurized air, and accidentally removing the mask while tossing at night.

For patients like these, an alternative to CPAP therapy may be recommended, and depending on the level of severity of their disorder, may benefit from a substitute treatment such as an oral dental appliance.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy has long been the gold standard option for treating patients with obstructive sleep apnea. However, CPAP may not be the best option for all patients, and there are a variety of reasons why an oral appliance for sleep apnea may be the right choice for helping you get your sleep apnea symptoms under control.