Sleep Apnea Treatment
Diamond Bar, CA
Custom oral appliance therapy for patients with obstructive sleep apnea who are looking for a personalized treatment option.
Already diagnosed with OSA? Talk with our team about whether oral appliance therapy may be right for you.
Custom Oral Appliances
Personalized Care
Convenient Location
Could Sleep Apnea Be Affecting Your Sleep?
Sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops or becomes restricted during sleep. The most common type is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked or narrowed while you are sleeping.
Common signs of obstructive sleep apnea can include:
- Loud or frequent snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Moring headaches
- Gasping or chocking during the night
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Daytime sleepiness or fatique
- Waking with a dry mouth
- Difficulty concentrating
Not everyone with sleep apnea experiences the same symptoms. If you are concerned about your sleep or have been told that you stop breathing while sleeping, talk with a qualified medical provider about evaluation and diagnosis.
Have you already been diagnosed with sleep apnea? Schedule a consultation with Bhatt Dentistry to discuss whether oral appliance therapy may be appropriate for you.
How Does an Oral Appliance Help with Sleep Apnea?
An oral appliance is a custom-fitted dental device worn while sleeping. It works by gently repositioning the lower jaw and tongue forward, which can help keep the airway open.
The Veterans Health Library explains that oral appliances may be used for some patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea and for people who have difficulty tolerating positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. A sleep specialist should determine whether this type of treatment is appropriate.
An oral appliance is different from an over-the-counter mouth guard. A custom device is designed specifically for your mouth and requires professional fitting and follow-up.
Who Could Benefit from Oral Appliance Therapy?
Oral appliance therapy is not appropriate for everyone with sleep apnea. Your treatment should be based on your diagnosis, medical history, oral health, and recommendations from your sleep physician or other qualified medical provider.
An oral appliance may be considered for patients who:
- Have a confirmed diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Have Difficulty tolerating PAP therapy
- Have been referred for oral appliance therapy by a sleep specialist.
- Have adequate healthy teeth to support the appliance
- Have appropriate jaw movement and oral health
The VA’s current clinical guidance states that Veterans being considered for VA-authorized oral appliance therapy should have a confirmed OSA diagnosis documented by a sleep study and evaluation by a qualified sleep medicine specialist.
What to Expect from Sleep Apnea Treatment
If oral appliance therapy is recommended, treatment generally involves several steps.
Step 1: Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
A medical sleep provider diagnoses obstructive sleep apnea and determines the appropriate treatment options. A sleep study may be used to confirm the diagnosis.
Step 2: Dental Evaluation
Your teeth, gums, jaw and bite are evaluated to determine whether an oral appliance is appropriate for you.
Step 3: Custom Oral Appliance
If you are a candidate, measurements or impressions may be taken so that your appliance can be custom fabricated.
Step 4: Fitting and Adjustments
Your appliance will be fitted and adjusted as needed. Follow-up appointments help ensure that it remains comfortable and functions as intended.
Step 5: Follow-Up With Your Sleep Provider
Your sleep provider may recommend additional evaluation or a follow-up sleep study while using the appliance to determine whether your sleep apnea is being adequately treated.
Sleep Apnea Treatment for Veterans
VA Oral Appliance Therapy for Veterans
Bhatt Dentistry is committed to helping Veterans understand their options for sleep apnea treatment. The VA recognizes Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) as a treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea.
For eligible Veterans, VA-authorized oral appliance therapy may be provided through VA facilities or through an authorized community provider when the appropriate referral and authorization requirements are met.
VA clinical guidance indicates that OAT may be considered when a Veteran has a confirmed diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and either cannot tolerate PAP therapy or has been determined by a sleep medicine specialist to be appropriate for oral appliance evaluation. The Veteran must also meet applicable dental and clinical requirements.
How Does VA Sleep Apnea Treatment Work?
If you are a Veteran interested in oral appliance therapy, the process generally begins with your VA healthcare team.
- Talk with your VA healthcare provider or sleep specialist about your sleep apnea treatment options.
- Receive an appropriate referral or authorization for community care when applicable.
- Confirm that your community provider and treatment are authorized by VA.
- Complete your dental evaluation and determine whether an oral appliance is appropriate.
- Receive and adjust your custom appliance according to your treatment plan.
- Continue follow-up with your sleep medicine provider to evaluate your treatment.
VA states that Veterans must receive authorization for community care before receiving routine care from a community provider.
Important: VA eligibility, authorization, referrals, and covered services can vary by Veteran and treatment plan. Contact your VA healthcare team to determine whether you qualify for VA-authorized oral appliance therapy and what steps are required.
Why Choose Bhatt Dentistry for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Choosing an oral appliance provider involves more than simply receiving a dental device. Your appliance should be evaluated in the context of your oral health, bite, jaw function, and overall treatment plan.
At Bhatt Dentistry, we can evaluate your dental health and work with your existing sleep-care team when appropriate. Our goal is to provide personalized dental care that fits into your broader sleep apnea treatment plan.
If you are considering an oral appliance for sleep apnea, we can help you understand what the dental portion of treatment may involve and whether an evaluation is appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a dentist treat sleep apnea?
A dentist can provide oral appliance therapy for appropriately diagnosed patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Diagnosis and medical management of sleep apnea should involve a qualified medical or sleep specialist. The VA similarly describes oral appliance therapy as part of a coordinated sleep apnea treatment pathway.
Is an oral appliance the same as a mouth guard?
No. A sleep apnea oral appliance is a custom medical/dental device designed to help manage obstructive sleep apnea. It is different from an over-the-counter night guard or sports mouth guard.
Can an oral appliance replace CPAP?
Not necessarily. Treatment depends on the individual patient. Oral appliance therapy may be considered for some patients with obstructive sleep apnea, including people who have difficulty tolerating PAP therapy. Your sleep provider can help determine which treatment is appropriate.
Can Veterans get an oral appliance for sleep apnea through the VA?
Eligible Veterans may be able to receive VA-authorized oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea when the applicable clinical and referral requirements are met. VA guidance states that community care must be authorized before a Veteran receives routine care from a community provider.
Do I need a sleep study before getting an oral appliance?
A confirmed diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea is generally part of the VA’s current criteria for oral appliance therapy. For non-VA patients, your sleep physician can determine whether a sleep study or other diagnostic testing is appropriate.
Is an oral appliance comfortable?
It may take time to adjust to wearing an oral appliance. Follow-up appointments can be used to evaluate the fit and make adjustments when necessary.
Can I get an oral appliance if I have dental problems?
Your teeth and gums need to be evaluated before treatment. The VA’s current clinical guidance includes stable dentition and the absence of active dental disease among the criteria for medically necessary OAT under its program.
Take the Next Step Toward Better Sleep
If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea or are interested in learning whether oral appliance therapy may be an option, schedule a consultation with Bhatt Dentistry in Diamond Bar, CA.
If you are a Veteran seeking VA-authorized oral appliance therapy, speak with your VA healthcare team about whether a referral to a community provider is appropriate for your care.
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