A variety of treatments are available for obstructive sleep apnea. Here are some of the most common and successful:
Oral Appliance Therapy
Most patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea are in the mild to moderate categories, and can be treated with oral appliances. This is also the preferred method of treatment for patients who have severe sleep apnea but cannot tolerate the CPAP device. For patients who either do not want surgery, or who have had an unsuccessful procedure in the past, a non-invasive, intraoral appliance that can be worn at night is a good alternative.
Appliance Types
Three types of appliances include a Soft Palatal Lift Appliance, a Tongue Retaining Device, and a Mandibular Repositioner. Within these categories, Dr. Sep specializes in the following appliances:
- Serena – This is a highly durable appliance made with medical grade nylon. Patients love this appliance because of the comfort that the ultra-thin construction gives.
- Prosomnus – This appliance is made from acrylic making it strong; yet allows it to be thin enough to be super comfortable and effective.
- SomnoDent – This appliance moves your jaw and tongue forward while you sleep to open up your airway and treat your sleep apnea. This appliance is great for patients who wear partial dentures or are missing teeth.
- Panthera – This sturdy appliance is made with medical grade nylon. The Panthera is easily adjusted to maximize effectiveness and patient comfort.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
CPAP is the current gold standard utilized by the medical profession for the treatment of OSA. The CPAP device is a tightly fitting nose mask that is strapped to the head and connected by a hose to an air compressor pump. Air is forced into the airway through the nasal passages in order to open it up and allow adequate room for normal breathing.
For patients with severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea, the CPAP may be a literal lifesaver. In cases of mild to moderate OSA, however, or in cases where patients refuse to wear the CPAP, oral appliances may be used instead.
Complaints about the use of the CPAP device include pump noise, skin irritations from the mask, headaches from the strap around the head, voice changes, nose and throat dryness, tinnitus, sinus infections, difficulty sleeping and difficulty breathing out against the air being forced through the nose.
Most Common Surgical Treatments for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
- Laser Assisted Uvuloplasty (LAUP) – If the uvula is excessive, or linked to the cause of a snoring or sleep apnea problem, this procedure is used to surgically remove it using a laser.
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) – This procedure removes an excess of palatal tissue that may be contributing to snoring or sleep apnea problems.
Either procedure can be quite painful during the healing period. Following surgery, patients report voice changes and difficulty in swallowing their food. Nonetheless, patients should be informed of all their options prior to any treatment, whether surgical or nonsurgical.