If you deal with sleep apnea, you’re likely tired of always feeling tired. Your doctor may have given you a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP machine to use at night, but the mask you have to wear is probably very uncomfortable.

Many people find that while the CPAP does help them breath, they still can’t get to sleep very easily because the mask is uncomfortable. It can also cause a number of other issues. The mask might irritate your skin, plus these machines can dry out your nasal passages.

Fortunately, you don’t have to resign yourself to dealing with a CPAP machine for the rest of your life. There are actually some oral appliances that help you control your sleep apnea if it’s caused by an obstruction in your airways.

This obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the muscles in your mouth and throat relaxing to the point that they actually partially or fully block your airway. That’s what causes you to snore and to wake up in the night.

When you come in to discuss your sleep apnea, we will look at one of two different options for you. The first is called a Mandibular Advancement Device or MAD. This device looks like a common retainer or mouth guard.

You simply put it in your mouth at night. The device helps to push your tongue and lower jaw forward just slightly so that it pulls the throat muscles up, preventing them from covering your airway.

While it may take several nights to get used to wearing a MAD, most people find it more comfortable than a CPAP mask.
The second appliance is called a Tongue Retaining Mouthpiece. This device is similar to a MAD, but it has a small area that fits over your tongue. It uses suction to stop your tongue from blocking your airway.

Both of these options may work for you. Simply come in and talk to us about your needs and we’ll see which one is the best solution.