The patient with sleep apnea experiences repeated episodes of cessation of breathing during their sleep. It is a common condition that affects millions of individuals across the globe. Oshawa is no exception, and residents should, therefore, be mindful of their oral and overall health.
Symptoms include loud snoring, a feeling of choking or gasping for air, drowsiness during the day, and many others. There are different forms of apnea and sleep apnea disorder, but the most common one is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
In this case, a person suffers from an inability to breathe due to excessive muscle relaxation of the soft palate, which blocks the airway. There is also the much publicized and often the only available CPAPsupplies treatment method for sleep apnea patients.
However, recent studies have also demonstrated that dental appliances, including retainers, can also be used in the treatment of sleep apnea. You can reach out to the Oshawa dentist office to see what oral therapies can be provided to you. The dentist will assess your teeth and then accordingly come up with suitable dental treatment for your condition.
Understanding the Mechanism of Sleep Apnea
However, before looking at the relation with retainers, one has to appreciate how sleep apnea functions. For example, in the case of obstructive sleep apnea, the upper airway narrows or collapses upon relaxation of the throat muscles, and breathing is decreased or stopped altogether. This leads to the individual experiencing a brief arousal in order to restore the patency of the airway.
These arousals are, in such instances, very short, and most people do not even recall them; however, they have a drastic influence on the sleeping pattern; hence, unhealthy sleep and other medical issues such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and diabetes may arise.
For patients who suffer from some form of sleep apnea, especially moderate ones, it is sometimes recommended to use alternative methods to CPAP therapy, which can, at times, prove to be uncomfortable. And this is when retainers and other dental devices come in.
What Are Retainers?
Retainers are devices typically used to hold teeth in position after orthodontic therapies, such as braces. These devices are made according to the specific needs of each individual’s mouth and are aimed at making sure that the teeth do not move from their place.
However, some orthodontic retainers and similar dental apparatus have also been found helpful in treating other medical conditions, including sleep apnea.
There are varying styles in which retainers are made for sleep apnea purposes; however, attention is mainly on two types: fixed and removable. Retainers are more often than not perceived to be more or less plastic devices used for either the purpose of straightening the teeth or retaining a straight position of the teeth.
However, some can position the jaw in a certain way during sleep or keep it in a particular position. This ability to improve the functionality of the airway in some retainers justifies their use in the control of sleep apnea.
Limitations and Considerations
Retention plates can be an adjunct treatment for individuals suffering from apnea. However, they are not indicated for everyone. Individuals who are diagnosed with extreme apnea are likely to require other more potent treatment alternatives, such as the CPAP machine or surgery.
Seeking a healthcare provider’s assessment helps in deciding if it is feasible to use a retainer or an oral device. There are some patients for whom it may be more effective to use both CPAP and a dental appliance.
Treat sleep apnea by using retainers!
Retainers, which are primarily employed to stabilize the position of the teeth, have also been found to be effective in the management of mild to moderate cases of obstructive sleep apnea.
These devices act as a less painful yet effective means of keeping the airway open in patients during sleep. Reach out to the dentist and get your condition treated on time.
