Understanding Your Unique Situation
Sleep apnea is a serious but common disorder that affects millions of Americans. It causes you to wake up throughout the night due to a blocked airway. If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, it’s essential that you receive treatment. However, everyone experiences this sleep disorder differently, so Dr. Huff will create a customized plan for you during your initial consultation.
Your Initial Consultation With Dr. Huff
If you’re experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, the first step is visiting Dr. Huff for a consultation. He’ll refer you to a sleep study facility or offer you a take-home sleep test.
Once you receive your diagnosis, we’ll evaluate your situation further and determine which of our CPAP alternatives will fit best with your lifestyle.
CPAP Alternatives
In previous years, CPAP was the most common way to treat sleep apnea. This continuous positive airway pressure machine delivers a constant flow of air to your lungs to prevent blockage. It consists of a mask for your face and a tank that provides you with air.
This treatment method, however, is too loud and invasive for many patients. They find it harder to fall asleep while using it, making it ineffective. Because of this, dentists frequently recommend oral appliances to their patients as an alternative to CPAP.
This device is custom made to fit comfortably inside your mouth while you sleep. It pushes your jaw and tongue forward to open up your airway. There are a variety of oral appliances available, so Dr. Huff will help you choose the one that’ll give you maximum results.
The Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy
Treating your sleep apnea will improve not only your quality of sleep but also your life. It’ll help you get a full 7-9 hours of sleep each night, giving you more energy throughout the day. Oral appliances are compact devices that are made specifically to fit the size and shape of your jaw.
Many patients have found this CPAP alternative to be:
- Portable — its small size makes it good for traveling with
- Quiet — unlike CPAP, it doesn’t make a sound
- Easy to use — there aren’t multiple parts to deal with
- Comfortable — it’s customized to fit the exact shape of your mouth so you’ll forget it’s there
- Discreet — no one will even be able to tell you’re wearing it
Additional Treatments
If your condition is severe and you need additional treatment to manage it, Dr. Huff may suggest other methods. A popular option to add to your oral appliance therapy is a mouth and throat exercise. This will gradually strengthen the muscles so your throat stays open and your tongue stays in place while you sleep.
While you’ll first be prescribed the treatments listed above, sometimes sleep apnea can be extreme enough to require surgery or medication. These are used to remove excess tissue but are always a last resort.
Contact Our Staff Today
If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea or suspect that you might have the condition, Dr. Huff will provide you with a treatment plan. Contact us at (830) 896-8343 or fill out our contact form to learn more about CPAP alternatives like oral appliances.
Now Accepting Online Payments
Register for an account through Patient Pay Center & use the office code below.
EQQXZU
