5 Compelling Reasons to Choose a CPAP Alternative for Sleep Apnea Relief

Patients who are overweight or have sinus inflammation may experience airway obstructions that hinder their natural breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea is when a person temporarily stops breathing while sleeping. It is commonly treated with a CPAP mask, which helps facilitate breathing. However, Libertyville Dental Associates in Libertyville, Illinois, offers CPAP alternatives that eliminate the need for a mask while allowing patients to breathe comfortably during sleep.

1. Restores natural breathing patterns

Dentists have oral appliances that can be used instead of traditional CPAP machines. One in particular is the TAP appliance. The size and shape of a retainer or mouthguard, the TAP appliance holds the tongue and soft tissues of the mouth in place so they don’t fall back into the throat and obstruct the patient’s airway. With the TAP appliance in position, the structures remain in place, and the patient is able to breathe normally.

2. Doesn’t require a cumbersome mask

TAP oral appliances fit securely in the mouth. The patient is no longer required to wear a CPAP mask. Masks can be cumbersome, with straps wrapping around the head and a hose attached to the machine. For patients who are claustrophobic, having to wear a mask while they sleep can be a nightmare. With an oral appliance, the mask, straps, hose, and noisy CPAP machine are eliminated.

3. Allows you to move freely as you sleep

Sleeping with a CPAP mask and machine can be extremely restrictive. You can’t roll over without dragging the oxygen hose along with you, and moving your head from side to side can be a challenge. Eliminating the mask and hose makes it possible to move your head and body without any interference. Using an oral appliance is often the answer to this type of problem.

4. Able to achieve a deep state of sleep

Keeping the airways open with an oral appliance ensures that the patient can achieve a deep state of sleep. The REM state is the period of sleep during which the body can rejuvenate and repair itself. People with sleep apnea rarely get to the REM state of sleep. In fact, the decreased amount of oxygen to the brain can result in an entirely new set of problems.

5. Eliminates the effects of oxygen deprivation

When sleep apnea occurs, the amount of oxygen reaching the brain dramatically decreases. This can cause headaches, feelings of confusion, and lethargy. You will often wake up just as tired as before falling asleep. With an oral appliance in place, oxygen flow to the brain is restored, and many of these symptoms will fade away.

Discover Comfort and Better Sleep—Contact Us Today!

Wearing a CPAP mask can make getting a good night’s sleep difficult. Our dentists at Libertyville Dental Associates in Libertyville, IL, can help you find the right solution for your sleep apnea issues. To learn more, call (847) 349-4306.

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