Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea
Loud snoring. Gasping at night. Waking up tired after a full night in bed. These can be signs of sleep apnea. If CPAP is not for you, there is another option worth asking about: a custom oral appliance.
Here is what sleep apnea is, how DC Pearls tests for it at home, and how oral appliance therapy works.
What sleep apnea is
Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder. Your breathing stops and starts again and again while you sleep. Each pause lasts at least 10 seconds. The pauses can happen 5 to 30 or more times per hour.
There are two main forms:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is the most common form. Your throat muscles relax and block your airway while you sleep.
- Central sleep apnea (CSA). This is less common. Your brain does not send steady signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Signs to watch for
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Trouble concentrating
- Dry mouth when you wake up
- Mood changes, anxiety or depression
If you or your partner notice these signs, testing is strongly recommended. Sleep apnea affects men and women at any stage of life. Women are often underdiagnosed because their symptoms can look different.
How an oral appliance helps
For many patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy is a comfortable and effective alternative to CPAP.
The device is custom-fitted to your teeth. It gently moves your lower jaw forward. That opens your airway so you can breathe without interruption through the night.
What patients like about it:
- It is made for you. Your appliance is precision-fitted at our office. It is not a generic, over-the-counter device.
- It is quiet and simple. No mask, no machine, no noise.
- It travels well. Many patients like how portable it is.
Testing starts at home
DC Pearls uses the WatchPAT 300, a home sleep apnea test. You take the test in the comfort of your own home.
Your results are analyzed automatically after the study. They include:
- Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI)
- Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI)
- Oxygen desaturation levels
- Sleep stage distribution
- A detailed sleep quality report
Our team walks you through every result.
Your next step
Learn more about sleep apnea testing and treatment at DC Pearls. When you are ready, book a consultation online or contact us. You can also call (202) 750-8718. We are at 2440 M Street NW, Washington DC.
Sleep apnea appliance questions answered
A custom-fitted device that gently moves your lower jaw forward. This opens your airway so you can breathe without interruption through the night.
For many patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, yes. It is a comfortable and effective alternative to CPAP, with no mask, no machine and no noise.
With the WatchPAT 300, a home sleep apnea test you wear in your own bed. Results are analyzed automatically and include your AHI, RDI, oxygen levels and sleep stages.
Loud, chronic snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, trouble concentrating, dry mouth on waking, and mood changes. If you notice these, testing is strongly recommended.
Ready to book? Book your appointment online or call (202) 750-8718.