Dental Sleep Medicine (OAT)

 

 

 

 

 

Dental Sleep Medicine is an area of practice that focuses on the management of sleep-related breathing disorders including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea through the use of oral appliance therapy and upper airway surgery.

Oral Appliances: Oral appliance therapy (OAT) is an effective treatment option for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the first line of treatment for sleep apnea, many patients prefer an oral appliance to CPAP. An oral appliance is a small plastic device that fits in the mouth like a sports mouth guard or orthodontic retainer. Oral appliances help prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat, keeping the airway open during sleep and promoting adequate air intake.Oral appliances may be used alone or in combination with other treatments for sleep-related breathing disorders, such as weight management, surgery or CPAP.

Advantages of Oral Appliance Therapy

1.  Oral appliances are comfortable and easy to wear.
2.  Most people find that it only takes a couple of weeks to become acclimated to wearing the appliance.
3.  Oral appliances are small and convenient making them easy to carry when traveling.
4.  Treatment with oral appliances is reversible and non-invasive

How Oral Appliances Work

1.  Repositioning the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate and uvula
2.  Stabilizing the lower jaw and tongue
3.  Increasing the muscle tone of the tongue

Insurance
Oral Appliance Therapy is a covered benefit with Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance plans.
Optimize your insurance benefits. Has your deductible been met yet? Call us now to discuss your options!