Sleep Apnea
Relief Beyond the CPAP Machine
Are you experiencing restless nights, loud snoring, or daytime fatigue due to sleep apnea, but find CPAP therapy difficult to tolerate? Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a serious condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, often due to soft tissues in the throat relaxing and blocking the airway. While CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is a common treatment, it's not suitable for everyone. At Ethos Dental Studio in Surrey, British Columbia, we offer effective, non-CPAP solutions, primarily focusing on custom oral appliance therapy, to help you achieve restful sleep and improve your overall health.
How Oral Appliance Therapy Works
For patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea, or those who cannot tolerate CPAP, a custom-fitted oral appliance can be a life-changing alternative. The process generally involves:
- Comprehensive Evaluation: Your journey begins with a thorough assessment, where we review your medical history, sleep study results (if available), and conduct an oral examination to determine if oral appliance therapy is suitable for your specific condition.
- Custom Impressions: If you're a candidate, precise impressions of your teeth and bite are taken. These impressions are sent to a specialized dental laboratory, where your custom oral appliance will be meticulously fabricated.
- Appliance Fitting: Once your appliance is ready, you'll return for a fitting appointment. We'll ensure the appliance fits comfortably and precisely. We will also provide detailed instructions on how to wear it and how to adjust it for optimal effectiveness.
- Follow-Up and Adjustments: We schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress, make any necessary fine-tuning adjustments to the appliance, and ensure it continues to provide the best possible results for your sleep.
Oral appliances work by gently repositioning your jaw or tongue, keeping your airway open during sleep. They are small, custom-made, and fit much like a sports mouthguard or orthodontic retainer.
✦ Benefits Of Treatment
Effective CPAP Alternative: For individuals unable to use CPAP, oral appliance therapy provides a proven, comfortable, and effective solution for managing mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Comfortable and Portable: Oral appliances are small, discreet, and easy to wear, making them a much more comfortable and convenient option than bulky CPAP machines, especially for travel.
Reduces Snoring: By maintaining an open airway, these appliances significantly reduce or eliminate snoring, leading to quieter nights for both you and your partner.
Improved Sleep Quality: Treating sleep apnea allows for uninterrupted, restorative sleep, reducing daytime fatigue, improving concentration, and enhancing overall energy levels.
Better Overall Health: Addressing sleep apnea lowers the risk of associated health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, contributing to significant improvements in your long-term health.
Non-Invasive: Oral appliance therapy is a non-surgical and non-pharmacological approach, relying on a custom-fitted device rather than more intrusive treatments.
Understanding The Cost Of Sleep Apnea Solutions
The cost of sleep apnea solutions is an investment in your health, quality of life, and the prevention of serious medical complications. At Ethos Dental Studio, we believe in transparent pricing.
The cost for a custom Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea typically ranges from $1,500 - $3,000. The exact fee can depend on the type of appliance recommended and the complexity of your case.
Factors Influencing the Cost:
- Appliance Type: Different designs of oral appliances may have varying costs based on their complexity and materials.
- Diagnostic Procedures: Initial consultations, examinations, and any necessary sleep studies (often referred to a sleep physician) will contribute to the overall process.
- Follow-Up Adjustments: Ongoing adjustments and monitoring are often necessary to ensure the appliance remains effective, and these may be factored into the overall cost or billed separately.
Regarding insurance coverage for oral appliances for sleep apnea, many medical insurance plans (rather than dental insurance) may cover a portion of the cost, especially if a formal diagnosis of sleep apnea has been made by a sleep physician. We recommend checking with your medical insurance provider to understand your specific benefits. Our team is here to assist you with any insurance inquiries and help you navigate the process.
During your consultation, we will conduct a thorough assessment, discuss if oral appliance therapy is the right solution for your sleep apnea, and provide a clear estimate of the costs involved, ensuring you have all the information needed to make an informed decision.
Why Choose Ethos
For Sleep Apnea Solutions
FAQs
You have questions. We have answers. Don't see what you need here? Contact us anytime to get your specific questions answered.
How does an oral appliance compare to CPAP?
Oral appliances are often preferred by patients who find CPAP cumbersome, noisy, or uncomfortable. They are small, quiet, and easily portable, offering a discreet solution for many with mild to moderate OSA.
Will and oral appliance stop my snoring?
Yes, oral appliances are highly effective at reducing or eliminating snoring by keeping the airway open. This often provides immediate relief for both the patient and their bed partner.
How long does it take to get used to an oral appliance?
Most patients adapt to wearing an oral appliance within a few nights to a couple of weeks. Minor adjustments may be needed during this initial period to ensure optimal comfort and effectiveness.
Is an oral appliance suitable for severe sleep apnea?
Oral appliances are generally recommended for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. For severe cases, CPAP is often the first-line treatment, though an oral appliance might be considered as an alternative if CPAP is truly intolerable.
