Sleep Apnea Treatment: Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) in Indiana

Someone with OSA may have his or her tongue fall backwards when lying on his or her back as well. A person will wake up with a gasp as their brain tells them to wake up and breathe, but many individuals are only awake for a second and they do not remember the incident.

What Do I Need to Know about Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

OSA is a serious medical problem, which can lead to high blood pressure and other serious medical problems if it is not treated. Moderate or severe OSA nearly triples a man’s risk of having a stroke.

How Would I Know if I Have OSA?

Sleep apnea symptoms are symptoms of sleep deprivation. If you have any of these symptoms after you get what you believe is a good night’s sleep, you may have OSA:

• Daytime sleepiness
• Decreased libido
• Difficulty concentrating
• Morning headache
• Easily irritated
• Loud snoring

Go to your primary care provider if you believe that you may have OSA. He or she will send you to a sleep lab, where a technician will monitor you while you sleep. The number of apnea events you have each hour will determine if you have mild, moderate or severe OSA.

What Causes OSA?

Sleep apnea causes include:

• Being male
• Having a thick tongue
• Being over 40
• Being overweight with a thick neck
• Using sedatives
• Having a family history of OSA

How is Sleep Apnea in Indiana Treated?

The sleep apnea treatment your doctor recommends will depend on whether you gave mild, moderate or severe SOA. An oral appliance from a dentist or lifestyle changes, such as dieting, may be enough to stop the symptoms of mild to moderate OSA. For moderate or severe OSA, your doctor may suggest a CPAP machine. Since compliance is low with CPAP machine machine because people don’t like the mask, your doctor may recommend both the machine and an oral appliance. Surgery is a last resort.

Dental Appliance for Sleep Apnea

What is an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea

An oral appliance is similar to a retainer, except its function is to keep your airway open. A sleep apnea mouth guard will move the lower jaw forward slightly, keep the tongue from falling backwards or perform both of these tasks simultaneously. There are different brands of oral appliances; each one looks different.

How Much Does a Sleep Apnea Mouthpiece Cost?

There are several types of mouthpieces, you would have to call our office and request a consultation with our dentist, who would be able to tell you the price for your custom mouthpiece.

What are the Advantages of Oral Appliance Therapy Treatment (OAT)?

Compared to using a CPAP machine with a mask, OAT has a better compliance rate. The mask can make some individuals feel claustrophobic. A custom oral appliance does not usually bother people because it is made from a mold of their teeth. Call our office to learn more about the benefits of an oral appliance for sleep apnea in Indiana.

Will My Medical Insurance Pay for Oral Appliance Therapy?

While policies will vary in coverage, medical insurance companies usually cover oral appliance therapy. Contact your medical insurance company to determine if your sleep test and oral appliance are covered. Contact us today to learn more about oral appliances and their prices with or without insurance.