Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a potentially dangerous condition in which breathing repeatedly stops for periods of 10 seconds or more. If you suffer from OSA, a doctor may have prescribed a CPAP machine and mask to remedy your condition. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, and it’s a common treatment for sleep apnea. Many CPAP patients, however, simply can’t tolerate this therapy. Some dislike the noise, others find the mask uncomfortable, and still others object to the bulkiness of the device.
Customized Treatment for CPAP Intolerance
Bethesda sleep apnea dentist Dr. Bernard Greenbaum offers a comfortable alternative to CPAP: the SomnoDent, an oral appliance made by SomnoMed, a leader in dental sleep medicine. This clinically-proven treatment is non-invasive, easy to use, and effective. The SomnoDent sleep appliance is a small, thin oral device similar to an athletic mouthguard or orthodontic retainer. Dr. Greenbaum custom fits each patient’s oral appliance to ensure optimal fit and comfort.
The SomnoDent device holds the jaw forward to prevent the soft tissues at the back of the mouth from collapsing while you sleep – the cause of most mild to moderate sleep apnea, as well as snoring. Benefits of SomnoMed oral appliance therapy over CPAP include:
- No noise
- Made from flexible material that conforms to your mouth
- Two separate pieces to let you speak, drink, and yawn
- Non-bulky, streamlined design
- Prevents teeth grinding, as well as OSA and snoring
- Nothing to hook up
- Easy to keep clean
- Doesn’t limit your sleep positions
Comprehensive Care from Your Bethesda, Maryland Sleep Apnea Dentist
As a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), Dr. Greenbaum is uniquely qualified to treat patients with OSA and other sleep disorders. He recently attended the AADSM’s 19th Annual Meeting, where he attended meetings, clinical workshop, and postgraduate courses to further his knowledge of OSA and personalized treatment regimens. (Look for news from the conference in future blog posts!)
Dr. Greenbaum has practiced dentistry in Bethesda for over 25 years. He takes hundreds of hours of continuing education courses each year to provide our patients with the best of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. Call our Bethesda, Maryland office today to schedule your appointment and discover the benefits of our comfortable CPAP alternative.
Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ), jaw muscles, and nerves must work in harmony for pain-free oral function. When an element of this sensitive system is irritated (trauma, a misaligned bite, and stress are common culprits), discomfort and impairment can occur. Chronic migraines, earaches, tingling in the fingers, muscles aches and spasms, and neck pain are just a few of the symptoms caused by improper alignment of the TMJ joints.
