There are a variety of treatment options which are available to those experiencing OSA (obstructive sleep apnea). The one which has been receiving the most attention right now is therapy by using an oral appliance fitted by a dentist. This oral appliance or device is much like dental braces for straightening teeth or a mouth guard to help people who grind their teeth while sleeping.

When used properly, an oral appliance will hold open your lower jaw and push it forward while you are sleeping. This stops the tongue from falling back and touching the back of your throat, which causes an obstruction. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine states that oral appliances are the recommended first step of treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea. Currently, there are almost 85 FDA-approved appliances for treating sleep apnea. Oral appliances offer a nice choice for treating recently diagnosed people and also for people who have already been diagnosed as having sleep apnea but are not happy with the advised CPAP therapy.

These are just some of the quality appliances you can find at our dental office. They all accomplish the identical job of holding your jaw open and in a forward position. This position supports the loose, collapsible tissues of the airway, thus making it wider and more secure. To begin using an oral appliance immediately, please get in touch with Bonita Del Rey Dental Care to discuss your options.

Oral Appliances
SomnoMed	Elastic Mandibular Advancement

Non-Surgical treatments

Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure (CPAP):
This is the form of treatment that is most commonly prescribed for people who suffer from OSA. CPAP involves wearing a mask that gives the person a steady stream of air through his nose while he is sleeping. Air flows through your nose and comes down the airway and works somewhat like a 'splint' to support the airway as it stays open and avoids collapse. The CPAP is the most highly recommended form of treatment by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for severe sleep apnea. Unfortunately, many people find that CPAP isn't tolerated easily, and elect not to wear it every night.

Weight Loss:
Losing even 10% of your weight can lessen the episodes of sleep apnea.

Changing Sleep Habits:
Sometimes trying to sleep on your side instead of your back can reduce sleep apnea, in cases which are mild.

Behavior Modification:
Abstaining from alcohol and sedatives sometimes can help lessen the episodes of sleep apnea.

Surgical Treatments

Somnoplasty:
This treatment uses radio frequency energy to decrease the amount of soft tissue located in the upper airway.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP):
The soft tissue and uvula are removed from the back of the throat and the soft palate. This opens up the airway and prevents the tissues surrounding the throat from collapsing and restricting the airflow.

Mandibular maxillary advancement:
In this surgical procedure the upper and lower jaws are cut, so that surgical implants can be put in place as spacers, and then the jaws are re-attached in a protruded position.

Palatal Implants:
The patient's soft palate is made stiffer by placing three small polyester inserts inside of it, thus preventing or reducing blockage of the airway.