The Value of Using Combined Therapy to Treat Sleep Apnea

For people suffering from sleep apnea, getting the benefits of a good night’s rest alludes them. A sleep dentist can help by providing effective treatment. There are some situations, though, when more than one form of care is needed. So as you continue reading, learn how combined therapy works to tackle the more acute cases of sleep apnea.

What is Sleep Apnea?

The term ‘sleep apnea’ refers to the repeated pauses in breathing that usually happens several times a night. These breaks can lead to serious health problems like hypertension, heart disease, stroke and obesity.

The good news, though, is that the condition is treatable with the help of an experienced and trained sleep dentist.

How to Treat Sleep Apnea

The two common ways of treating sleep apnea are an oral appliance and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. The following shows how the two methods differ:

• CPAP Machine – This option consists of a base unit, tube and mask that is worn while patients sleep. Its function is to pump air into the throat continuously to ensure that the airway stays open.
• Oral Appliance – While the CPAP machine is effective, some patients aren’t fond of its bulky design while others dislike the noise that it makes. The alternative is an oral appliance, which has no wires or tubes, and it’s completely quiet.

While patients have different preferences, there are certain situations that warrant the use of both types of devices.

When Combined Therapy is the Right Answer

Combined therapy can be useful for patients who previously haven’t been getting effective results from using one form of treatment. By using both a CPAP machine and an oral appliance, they can now experience the best of both worlds.

One of the key benefits is that it provides a way to address the more acute cases of sleep apnea. Combined therapy also offers a solution for those who aren’t fans of the CPAP method, by limiting the normal time that it has to be worn.

How to Get the Help You Need

The first step for receiving treatment for sleep apnea is to contact your physician to participate in a sleep study. If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, you can then reach out to your local sleep dentist.

While you visit, the professional will review the results of your sleep test and thoroughly assess you to determine whether a CPAP machine, oral appliance or combined therapy is the right path to take. However, if you’ve already been diagnosed with sleep apnea, then feel free to reach out to schedule a consultation today.

About the Author

Since 1980, Dr. Robert Dernick has been providing the absolute best in dental care to the Woodlands area. The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston graduate has also received advanced postgraduate training in the treatment of sleep apnea and sleep breathing disorders (SDB), which allows him to treat the simplest-to-most-complicated cases of sleep apnea at his private practice. Dr. Dernick can be reached for more information through his website.