CPAP

What is a CPAP machine?

Continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP is a safe and effective means of treatment for mild or moderate sleep apnea. 

People who use a CPAP machine wear a face mask during sleep that’s attached to a special pump that forces air into their nasal passages, overcoming obstructions and stimulating normal breathing. 

A CPAP is incredibly popular, but not all patients can tolerate the mask. In addition, if you travel a lot, packing and unpacking your CPAP gear can become tedious. Fortunately, if you have mild or moderate sleep apnea, you have other treatment options. 

What are the alternatives to CPAP?

At West Shore ENT & Allergy, their team offers custom oral appliances to address sleep apnea. A custom oral appliance is similar to a night guard. 

However, instead of protecting your teeth from grinding or clenching, a custom oral appliance pushes your lower jaw forward, opening up your airways. In addition to helping you sleep more comfortably, oral appliances are also adjustable. 

Am I a candidate for non-CPAP sleep apnea treatment?

To determine if you’re a candidate for a custom oral appliance, make an appointment at West Shore ENT & Allergy. 

Following an oral exam, review of your medical history, and discussion of your symptoms, your provider can make recommendations that align with your unique needs.

Although your provider can’t diagnose sleep apnea, they do screen patients for potential airway disorders. If your provider notices any warning signs of sleep apnea, they can refer you to a specialist for a sleep test. 

Following a sleep test, you can return to the office, and your provider can make recommendations for treatment.

What is the process for receiving a custom oral appliance?

To create a custom oral appliance, your provider conducts an oral exam. Afterward, they use dental putty to take impressions of your teeth. Your provider sends your impressions to a dental laboratory that manufactures your custom oral appliance.

You return to West Shore ENT & Allergy several weeks later. During your second appointment, you try on your custom oral appliance, and your provider makes any necessary adjustments. They also provide you with a list of instructions that help you clean and care for your oral appliance. 

If you’re tired of using CPAP to manage your sleep apnea, you have other treatment options. To request your custom oral appliance consultation, call West Shore ENT & Allergy or request an appointment online today.