Understanding Sleep Apnea

Have you ever felt tired even after you’ve had a full night’s sleep? If you snore loudly, you may have a sleep disorder called sleep apnea. However, we have good news! Thankfully, with today’s technology and unlimited research, snoring prevention in Charlotte is completely within your reach.  

What Are the Two Types of Sleep Apnea?

Consistency is key when it comes to a restful night of sleep. However, a person who has sleep apnea has very inconsistent breathing patterns. Their breaths will typically stop and start repeatedly. Furthermore, this disorder is categorized into two forms: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by an airway blockage. In most cases, the blockage is due to the collapse of the soft tissue at the back of the throat during sleep.
  • Central sleep apnea has nothing to do with a blocked airway. It is caused by the brain’s inability to signal the muscles to breathe.

What Are the Treatment Options?

Fortunately, sleep apnea is treatable! Various treatment options include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines; BiPAP (bi-level positive airway pressure) machines; adaptive servo-ventilation machines (ASV); and mandibular advancement devices (MAD).

What is a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD)?

Also known as a mandibular repositioning device, a MAD is one of the most widely used solutions for snoring and sleep apnea. This mouth device looks a lot like a mouth guard that people use in sports. To reduce the number of breathing pauses during sleep, this device facilitates airway expansion by easing the user’s jaw, or mandible, in a forward position. The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine once published a study that compared the effectiveness of the use of MADs and CPAPs on reducing the symptoms and effects of sleep apnea. Their findings showed that although there was no significant difference between MAD users and CPAP users in terms of improvement, more people preferred to use a MAD. What’s more, those who used the MAD are typically more compliant with the treatment than those who used the CPAP.  

Why Does Charlotte Dental Arts Use MAD For Snoring Prevention Charlotte?

The dental experts at Charlotte Dental Arts recommend the use of MADs because aside from eliminating snoring for people with sinus congestion or allergies, they’re also made to be comfortable! If you want to learn more about the MAD, schedule your consultation today.

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