Sleep Apnea Treatment in Portland, OR

Maybe your partner complains about your snoring. Maybe you wake up with a dry mouth or headache. Or maybe you’ve already been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, and your CPAP spends more time on the nightstand than on your face.

At Family Dental Health, Dr. David Case works with patients in Portland who may be candidates for oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. This small, custom-made dental appliance can provide another treatment option for certain patients who have received a medical diagnosis.

What Happens When Your Airway Keeps Closing?

Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, occurs when tissues in the upper airway repeatedly narrow or collapse during sleep. These interruptions can reduce airflow and briefly wake your brain so breathing can resume. Because you’re asleep, someone else may notice the signs before you do.

Symptoms often associated with obstructive sleep apnea include:

• Loud, frequent snoring
• Pauses in breathing noticed by a sleep partner
• Waking up choking or gasping
• Restless or frequently interrupted sleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Morning headaches
• Dry mouth or throat when you wake up
• Irritability or changes in mood

Snoring doesn’t automatically mean you have sleep apnea, but persistent snoring combined with other symptoms deserves a conversation with a qualified health provider.

Sleep Apnea Is a Medical Condition

Quality sleep supports your brain, cardiovascular system, metabolism, mood, and everyday function. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea has been associated with several health concerns, which is why getting an appropriate medical diagnosis matters.

OSA has been associated with increased risk for conditions such as:

• High blood pressure
• Cardiovascular disease
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Mood and concentration problems
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Increased risk of accidents related to drowsiness

If you suspect sleep apnea and haven’t been diagnosed, your physician or sleep medicine provider should evaluate your symptoms and determine whether a sleep study or other testing is needed.

A Small Device With an Important Job

When compared to CPAP, oral appliance therapy can be more comfortable and convenient. Patients who struggle with CPAP often appreciate oral appliance therapy because:

• It’s compact
• It doesn’t require electricity
• It’s easy to pack when traveling
• It’s worn entirely inside the mouth

As with any treatment, oral appliance therapy has its own set of considerations. Some people feel temporary jaw soreness, tooth discomfort, increased saliva, dry mouth, or gradual changes in the bite. We’ll discuss potential side effects with you and monitor your oral health during treatment.

How an Oral Sleep Appliance Works

Family Dental Health uses the EMA® Elastic Mandibular Advancement appliance for appropriate patients. The device fits over your teeth and gently positions the lower jaw forward while you sleep.

Moving the jaw forward can help:

• Create more room in the upper airway
• Reduce the risk of soft tissues collapsing in the airway
• Reduce snoring in some patients
• Support nighttime breathing in select patients

The EMA appliance is adjustable, which allows the jaw position to be modified as part of your treatment. Because every mouth and every sleep apnea case is different, fit and follow-up matter.

What to Expect From Dental Sleep Apnea Care

Once you have an appropriate medical diagnosis and oral appliance therapy has been recommended, we’ll evaluate whether your mouth and jaw can comfortably support an appliance.

Your dental sleep apnea care may include:

• Reviewing your sleep apnea diagnosis and medical recommendations
• Evaluating your teeth, gums, bite, and jaw joints
• Discussing CPAP use and any difficulties you’ve experienced
• Taking the records needed for a custom-fit appliance
• Fitting your EMA appliance and reviewing how to use and care for it
• Making adjustments when needed
• Monitoring your oral health, bite, jaw comfort, and appliance condition

Your physician or sleep provider may also recommend follow-up sleep testing to assess how well treatment is controlling your sleep apnea.

Sleep, Breathing, and Oral Health Are Connected

At Family Dental Health, we spend a lot of time teaching patients how the mouth fits into the bigger picture of health. Sleep apnea is one of the clearest examples.

Dr. Case’s role is focused on the dental side of sleep apnea care. Following medical diagnosis and direction, we can evaluate your oral health and determine whether an oral appliance may be appropriate. If so, we can provide a custom appliance and monitor its effect on your teeth, bite, and jaw. We’ll keep you informed throughout the process so you understand what we’re doing and why.

If CPAP Has Been Difficult, Let’s Talk About Your Options

If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and you’re having trouble using CPAP, oral appliance therapy may be worth discussing with your physician and dentist.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. David Case at Family Dental Health in Portland to find out whether an EMA oral appliance may be appropriate for you.

Disclaimer: The content of this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. Your results may vary. Financing options are subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply.