How long do oral appliances last?

Typically, a custom-made oral appliance can last as long as two years. Some patients may need to replace their oral appliances after six months due to excessive wear and tear, but this is rare. We recommend bringing your appliance with you to every dental checkup so Dr. Stone can make sure it’s in great condition and working properly.

How do I care for my oral appliance?

Since they spend so much time in your mouth, it’s important to keep any type of oral appliance clean and protect it from damage. To get the most out of your appliance, we recommend following our guidelines: Brush and floss your teeth before putting in your oral appliance Rinse your appliance with cold water or mouthwash before putting it in and after taking it out. Avoid rinsing it with hot water, as this can cause the device to warp. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to clean it. Regularly check for holes or other signs of damage. Bring your appliance to your dental appointments so we can ensure it fits and functions properly. Store your oral appliance in a hard container with ventilation to protect it and allow it to fully dry between uses. Remember, that oral appliances aren’t designed to last forever. If you’re approaching two years of use with the same appliance, consider visiting our offices for a replacement.

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Birmingham, MI

Get A Better Night’s Sleep With Dr. Stone

Sleep apnea affects around 25 million adults in the United States. It occurs when a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep, causing them to stop breathing repeatedly. These lapses can happen hundreds of times per night, often for 10 seconds or longer each time.

If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health complications like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Fortunately, effective sleep apnea treatment is available. At Premier Birmingham Dentistry, Dr. Jay Stone and his team can create customized oral appliances to help reduce instances of sleep apnea without continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines or surgical intervention.

Explore our sleep apnea devices and schedule your consultation by calling (248) 644-8520 today!

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much during sleep, causing soft tissue to collapse and block the airway. The brain senses the lack of oxygen and briefly wakes the person up so they reflexively gasp for air and reopen their airway.

These brief awakenings are often so quick that the person doesn’t remember them. But they prevent the person from getting restful, deep REM sleep.

There are three main types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This is the most common type of sleep apnea caused by a throat or airway blockage.
Central Sleep Apnea: The brain doesn’t properly signal the muscles that control breathing, causing an airway collapse.
Complex Sleep Apnea: A combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea events.

Risk Factors for Developing Sleep Apnea

Male
Overweight
Age 40 or older
Smoking
Chronic nasal congestion
A family history of sleep apnea

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Loud snoring
Choking or gasping during sleep
Morning headaches
Insomnia
Excessive daytime sleepiness

If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, it’s best to get diagnosed by a sleep specialist. They can perform tests like an overnight sleep study to monitor your breathing patterns, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and brain activity during sleep to determine the cause before treating sleep apnea with custom sleep apnea appliances.

Why Treating Sleep Apnea Matters

Leaving sleep disorders like sleep apnea untreated is linked to many dangers. Potential complications include:

Heart Problems: When obstructive sleep apnea occurs, it can strain the heart, leading to a risk of high blood pressure, arrhythmias, and heart failure.
Diabetes: Interruptions to deep sleep prevent the body from regulating blood sugar.
Stroke: People with obstructive sleep apnea have double to triple the risk of stroke compared to the general population.
Cognitive Problems: Fragmented sleep impairs focus, memory consolidation, and decision-making ability.
Depression: The fatigue and impairment caused by sleep apnea often trigger or worsen depressive disorder.
Headaches: Fluctuating oxygen levels during the night can cause morning headaches.

Oral Appliance Therapy For Sleep Apnea Treatment

Custom oral sleep appliances are commonly prescribed by Dr. Stone for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Worn only during sleep, these mouthguard-like devices gently reposition the lower jaw, tongue, and soft palate to open the airway. This opening prevents sleep apnea by stopping the throat tissues from collapsing and obstructing breathing.

Oral appliances are convenient, non-invasive, quiet, and portable. They don’t require surgery or affect appearance. Studies show these sleep apnea devices can significantly reduce AHI scores and symptoms related to obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Stone handles the oral appliance therapy process from start to finish, including any necessary adjustments for maximum comfort and effectiveness.

Lifestyle Changes To Prevent Sleep Apnea

Along with your oral appliance, Dr. Stone can guide you on beneficial daytime habits and sleep hygiene steps to reduce instances of obstructive sleep apnea. These lifestyle changes can include:

Losing excess weight
Doing regular cardio and muscle-strengthening exercise
Avoiding alcohol before bedtime
Quitting smoking
Trying nasal strips or spray to reduce congestion
Sleeping on your side instead of your back
Keeping the head elevated with extra pillows

Frequently Asked Questions

Many medical insurance plans cover a portion or all of the cost of treating sleep apnea, as it’s considered a medically necessary therapy. Contact your insurance provider to verify your coverage and ask about out-of-pocket costs beforehand.

Many patients notice significant relief from daytime drowsiness, snoring, and other symptoms within the first few weeks of treating obstructive sleep apnea with consistent oral appliance use. The full effects may take up to three months to maximize as the jaw muscles adapt to the repositioning. Adhering to consistent use and follow-up adjustments is crucial.

Consistent, lifelong nightly oral appliance use is best for optimum sleep apnea control. Symptoms usually return if you stop.

Some people may be able to phase to part-time oral appliance use under doctor supervision, but sleep apnea treatment usually remains necessary long-term due to the chronic nature of the disorder.

If you have symptoms like chronic loud snoring, gasping awake, morning headaches, or exhaustion despite adequate sleep, see your primary physician first. They can refer you for a sleep disorder study to confirm if you have sleep apnea based on your breathing patterns and oxygen levels overnight.

Discover Your Best Night’s Rest at Premier Birmingham Dentistry

Don’t let sleep apnea negatively impact your sleep quality and health any longer. With Dr. Stone’s skilled approach, you can start gaining restful nights and healthier days again soon.

If you or your sleep partner have noticed signs of sleep apnea, take action by booking a consultation with Dr. Jay Stone at Premier Birmingham Dentistry. Call (248) 530-3900 or request an appointment online. We look forward to meeting new and returning patients from the Birmingham area, including Clawson, Beverly Hills, and Franklin, MI.

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