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7905 East 106th Street Tulsa, OK 74133

Oral Appliance Therapy Tulsa, OK

Your comprehensive dentist in Tulsa, OK at Henrich Dental can help you sleep soundly with sleep apnea treatments!

Feeling tired at times during the day is completely normal, even with a good night’s sleep. Some people, however, struggle every night for a restful sleep, especially those with sleep apnea. Did you know that one in five adults has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with 80 percent of cases going undiagnosed? This condition can disrupt your sleep and increase your risk of severe health problems.

Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea

Oral appliance therapy (OAT) is a simple and effective way to treat mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and constant snoring. Start to improve your sleep, restore your alertness, and revitalize your health with this life-changing treatment. Get rid of your bulky CPAP machine, and try our modern, small, and comfortable oral appliances for treating your symptoms.

What Are Oral Appliances?

These appliances are custom-fit, mouthguard-like devices that help maintain an open and unobstructed airway so you can breathe easily throughout the night. These appliances are made by a professional dental lab, so the results are always high-quality and made to fit comfortably in your mouth. Oral appliance therapy is reversible, non-surgical and non-pharmaceutical, making it the perfect option for patients who may have concerns along those lines. However, if the sleep problem is severe enough, these appliances can be used in conjunction with surgery or medications.

Positive airway management is critical for deep, uninterrupted sleep, and these devices make that possible.

The process of getting an oral appliance is simple. First we will conduct a thorough consultation and dental exam. Then, we will review your options and recommend the appropriate treatments. If you qualify for an oral appliance, we will take digital impressions of your mouth. these impressions will be sent to a dental lab for fabrication Once we receive the final product, we will have you back to try it on and make adjustments if needed.

Oral Appliance Therapy: What to Expect

As you sleep, various stressors may cause clenching or simple gravity may pull your tongue toward the back of your throat, leading breathing difficulties. Loss of muscle function may promote mouth breathing and collapsed airways. In order to restore your healthy sleep, we need to address these problems. Oral appliances shift the lower jaw and tongue forward throughout the night so you can maintain an open airway. These devices can be used with or without PAP therapy.

The Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy

These devices are often the preferred choice of our patients because they are a non-invasive treatment that won’t disrupt your normal lifestyle. These appliances offer a number of benefits, including:

  • Comfortable and easy to wear materials
  • Doesn’t require a large mask over your face
  • No engine pumping air, so the treatment is completely quiet
  • Portable and convenient for traveling
  • Easy to maintain and clean

This solution can dramatically improve your quality of life, as long as you commit to the treatment and use these appliances every night.

Oral Appliance Therapy FAQs

Am I a candidate for Oral Appliance Therapy? 

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea by your medical doctor, you may benefit from OAT. Your doctor may refer you to Dr. Henrich for evaluation, or you can bring your diagnosis to us for a consultation.

Are there any side effects of using an oral sleep appliance?

Most people report very little side effects from using an oral sleep appliance. The most common one we hear about is jaw soreness in the morning after wearing the appliance to sleep. However, it is very mild in most cases and fades in less than an hour of being awake. Other less common side effects include increased production of saliva and changes to your bite. An oral sleep appliance has a higher compliance rate when compared to a CPAP machine despite these side effects.

How long will my oral appliance last?

On average, they last about two to five years. However, it will completely depend on how well you take care of yours. Some people are simply more harsh on their appliance while sleeping while others are not. You should follow your dentists care instructions to ensure long-term use. Unfortunately, you will need to replace it once it has worn down or breaks.

How will I know if my oral sleep appliance is working?

The best way to know if your custom made appliance is working is by having another sleep study completed. However, there are also more obvious signs such as your partner noticing that you are not snoring or you are snoring less. Also, if you wake up feeling well rested, sleep through the entire night, and wake up headache and dry mouth free, then those are all signs yours is working for you.

At Henrich Dental we are excited to see your sleep improve and the symptoms of OSA start to get better. We will continue to work with you throughout the entire treatment, making adjustments to the appliances as necessary to help you get the sleep you need. Don’t wait to get a great night’s sleep. Contact us today to learn more about this treatment and how we can help.