Nasal CPAP is a common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. but a recent study has shown that using nasal CPAP for just three years can cause changes in the position of the jaws and teeth. These finding may raise concerns for patients because CPAP therapy for sleep apnea continues throughout the patients entire life. Other options for treatment include oral appliances.

The Japanese study looked at a group of mostly men who wore a nasal mask to deliver CPAP therapy while sleeping. Nasal CPAP has been shown to cause changes in facial structure and bite in children but this was the first study to show similar changes in adults. These changes in facial structure can affect the profile of the face, tongue space and obstructive sleep apnea symptoms.

CPAP is typically prescribed for patients who have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. However a large number of patients are CPAP intolerant. They cannot sleep while wearing the mask or the hoses or machine noise disrupts their sleep. Oral appliance therapy on the other hand, is well tolerated by most patents.

Because obstructive sleep apnea is such a dangerous disease leading to complications including heart attack and stroke it is important to treat the disease. A custom oral appliance, created by a dentist who is specially trained in dental sleep medicine and who has experience in the field of neuromuscular dentistry is highly effective at solving the problem of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

For more information about oral appliance  therapy in the Columbus area please contact StoneRidge Dental care at 614-476-6696 today.