Gladstone, MO -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/07/2016 -- Patients who wear a CPAP mask at night to aid in stopping snoring and/or sleep apnea find it problematic. They wish there was a more comfortable solution for their snoring related issues. The solution comes in the form of a dental appliance.
Dr. Dale remarks, "A panacea accessible to those who snore and have sleep apnea is actually an oral appliance that we offer."
The answer lies in a specially fashioned piece of plastic worn in the mouth every night by the snorer and molded by a small number of dentists, like Dr. Platt or Dr. Dale, who have taken courses in the physiology of snoring. The appliance helps prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues at the back of the throat.
Sleep apnea is characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing while asleep. Each pause, called an apnea, can last from at least 10 seconds to minutes and may occur five to 30 times or more per hour.
Recently the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) approved dental appliances as a first line of treatment for snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea and for patients with severe sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP. "Over 95% of patients are satisfied with the level of improvement with their snoring when assessed and treated correctly," states Dr. Platt.
Common problems with CPAP are:
- Sweat soaks into the straps and irritates the skin
- Removal of mask during sleep and have apnea episodes
- The mask rubs on the nose and forehead
- Air pushes into the stomach causing burping and/or flatulence
- The mask leaks air onto the face (especially with facial hair)
- The pressure of the CPAP is oppressive
- The CPAP machine is too noisy to allow sleep
- The tubing gets in the way of sleeping movements
- Awareness of the mask and inability to forget about it
- The mask triggers claustrophobia
- Nose might be stuffed up from a cold or allergies
About Dr. Dale and Dr. Platt
Staying on top of the latest in dental techniques and technology are extremely important to Dr. Dale and Dr. Platt. They consistently attend advanced dental courses. They have taken advanced courses in Lumineers®, Invisalign®, dental sleep medicine as well as numerous courses on a variety of cosmetic dental techniques.
For an appointment, call 816-452-3420.