Sleep Apnea Appliance

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Sleep apnea affects millions of Americans, causing interrupted breathing during sleep that leads to poor rest and serious health consequences. While CPAP machines are effective, many patients find them uncomfortable. At Bar Orthodontics in Rockwall, TX, Dr. Bar offers custom oral appliances as a comfortable, travel-friendly alternative for treating mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the soft tissues in your throat relax during sleep and block your airway. This causes you to stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night—sometimes hundreds of times.

Each episode triggers your brain to partially wake you to restore breathing, fragmenting your sleep and preventing restorative rest.

Common symptoms include:

• Loud snoring
• Gasping during sleep
• Morning headaches
• Daytime fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability

Sleep apnea is more than just poor sleep—it's linked to serious health conditions:

• High blood pressure and heart disease
• Increased stroke risk
• Type 2 diabetes
• Depression and mood disorders
• Memory and concentration problems
• Increased risk of accidents due to drowsiness
• Weakened immune function

Oral appliances for sleep apnea, also called mandibular advancement devices (MADs), work by repositioning your lower jaw slightly forward during sleep.

This forward position:

• Prevents the tongue from falling back and blocking the airway
• Tightens the soft tissues in the throat
• Keeps the airway open throughout the night
• Reduces or eliminates snoring and apnea events

The appliance looks similar to a sports mouthguard and is custom-fitted to your teeth for comfort and effectiveness.

Both treatments are effective, but they offer different advantages:

CPAP Therapy:

• Most effective for severe sleep apnea
• Requires electricity and regular maintenance
• Some patients find masks uncomfortable
• Compliance can be challenging

Oral Appliance Therapy:

• Comfortable and easy to wear
• Portable—ideal for travel
• Silent operation
• No electricity needed
• Higher compliance rates
• Effective for mild to moderate OSA and snoring

For patients who can't tolerate CPAP, oral appliances offer an excellent alternative.

The process for obtaining your oral appliance includes:

1. Sleep Study – Diagnosis of sleep apnea by a sleep physician (we can provide referrals)
2. Evaluation – Dr. Bar examines your jaw, teeth, and airway
3. Impressions – Precise molds or digital scans capture your bite
4. Fabrication – Your appliance is custom-made for optimal fit
5. Fitting – We adjust the appliance and teach you how to use it
6. Follow-up – We fine-tune the jaw position for maximum effectiveness
7. Monitoring – Follow-up sleep testing confirms the appliance is working

Oral appliances may be ideal if you:

• Have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea
• Snore but don't have diagnosed apnea
• Cannot tolerate CPAP therapy
• Travel frequently and need a portable solution
• Want a non-invasive treatment option
• Have adequate teeth to anchor the appliance

Oral appliances are not recommended for severe sleep apnea or central sleep apnea. Dr. Bar will help determine if this treatment is appropriate for you.

Stop letting sleep apnea rob you of restful sleep. Contact Bar Orthodontics today to learn if a custom oral appliance can help you breathe easier and sleep better.

Call (972) 772-2500 or Book your Consultation online using the link below.