Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

What it is/Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment

Treatment Options

There are 3 major approaches to treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA):

1. Dental Appliance Therapy

Similar in appearance to an athletic mouth guard, these splint-like devices are placed in the mouth during sleep to prevent the blocking of the airway. They function by re-posturing the mandible, tongue, soft palate, hyoid bone and by stabilizing the lower jaw.

When properly customized for patients by qualified dental professionals, sleep appliances are easy to use, relatively inexpensive and extremely effective in treating mild to moderate OSA. New research is also showing that patients with severe OSA, including those who are CPAP intolerant and/or not candidates for surgery, can also benefit greatly by using a dental sleep appliance

To find out if oral appliance therapy can help improve the quality and quantity of your sleep, consult a dentist who is certified in dental sleep medicine. Seeing your “regular dentist” may not be adequate since all dentists do not possess the necessary training or expertise.

2. Nasal CPAP (continuous positive air pressure)

A Nasal CPAP unit is a machine that delivers lightly pressurized air through a hose that is hooked to a small nose mask that you must wear when you sleep. The flow of the air acts like an "air splint", keeping your upper airway open and preventing apnea. CPAP machines have 99% efficiency in restoring normal breathing during sleep. They have also undergone many improvements since an Australian invented the first one from a vacuum cleaner and a length of hose. Patients who use Nasal CPAP units experience almost immediate and nearly total relief of their OSA symptoms. Despite its effectiveness, however, the rate of patient compliance with nasal CPAP therapy is less than 50%.

3. Surgery

In severe cases, your physician may recommend removal of throat tissues, such as the soft palate, tonsils and adenoids, to enlarge your airway opening. While this may be your best treatment option, we urge patients to consider a) the risks inherent in surgery of any type, b) the long-term prognosis since removed tissues can grow back, and c) the availability of non-surgical therapies.



Home About Us In the News Sleep Apnea Introduction What is it? Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment TMD - Jaw Disorder Patients \| Definition Patients \| Causes Patients \| Treatment Physicians \| Causes FAQ's Patient Forms Map / Directions Contact Us Related Links St. John Hospital Henry Ford Hospital Great Lakes Sleep Diagnostics	Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) What it is/Causes \| Symptoms \| Diagnosis \| Treatment Treatment Options There are 3 major approaches to treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): 1. Dental Appliance Therapy Similar in appearance to an athletic mouth guard, these splint-like devices are placed in the mouth during sleep to prevent the blocking of the airway. They function by re-posturing the mandible, tongue, soft palate, hyoid bone and by stabilizing the lower jaw. When properly customized for patients by qualified dental professionals, sleep appliances are easy to use, relatively inexpensive and extremely effective in treating mild to moderate OSA. New research is also showing that patients with severe OSA, including those who are CPAP intolerant and/or not candidates for surgery, can also benefit greatly by using a dental sleep appliance To find out if oral appliance therapy can help improve the quality and quantity of your sleep, consult a dentist who is certified in dental sleep medicine. Seeing your “regular dentist” may not be adequate since all dentists do not possess the necessary training or expertise. 2. Nasal CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) A Nasal CPAP unit is a machine that delivers lightly pressurized air through a hose that is hooked to a small nose mask that you must wear when you sleep. The flow of the air acts like an "air splint", keeping your upper airway open and preventing apnea. CPAP machines have 99% efficiency in restoring normal breathing during sleep. They have also undergone many improvements since an Australian invented the first one from a vacuum cleaner and a length of hose. Patients who use Nasal CPAP units experience almost immediate and nearly total relief of their OSA symptoms. Despite its effectiveness, however, the rate of patient compliance with nasal CPAP therapy is less than 50%. 3. Surgery In severe cases, your physician may recommend removal of throat tissues, such as the soft palate, tonsils and adenoids, to enlarge your airway opening. While this may be your best treatment option, we urge patients to consider a) the risks inherent in surgery of any type, b) the long-term prognosis since removed tissues can grow back, and c) the availability of non-surgical therapies.
3665 E. 11 Mile Rd, Warren, MI 48092 \| Phone: 586-573-0438 \| Fax: 586-573-0186