What are some alternative treatments for obstructive sleep apnea patients?

Have you recently been diagnosed by your primary care physician or a sleep doctor with obstructive sleep apnea? If so, you may be very familiar with the CPAP machine. While effective, this device is often problematic for patients–to the point where they may stop using it to treat obstructive sleep apnea altogether. Fortunately, Dr. Steven Sykes of Bloomfield Dental Sleep and Breathing Centre of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is pleased to provide alternative treatments that can help!

What is a CPAP machine?

The CPAP machine is the go-to treatment for patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. This acronym, CPAP, stands for continuous positive airway pressure. The device pumps pressurized air through the nose and mouth of a patient with obstructive sleep apnea (a condition that causes several pauses in breathing during one’s sleep). Keeping the airways open with the pressurized air through the CPAP device helps minimize or eliminate pauses in breathing throughout the night.

What are alternative treatments?

Alternative treatments refer to therapies available to treat patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) other than CPAP therapy. These alternative treatments can provide OSA patients with more options when attempting to find an effective treatment plan for their disorder. Alternative therapies typically involve lifestyle changes and dental appliances, such as oral devices, that help keep your airway open while you sleep and reduce pauses in breathing. These small, comfortable, custom-made devices are a great way to treat obstructive sleep apnea if patients find their CPAP machine too cumbersome or uncomfortable.

Additionally, patients who have obstructive sleep apnea may also improve their condition with orthodontic treatment. Poor alignment of the teeth and jaw can contribute to the blocking of the airways that contribute to the blockage. We are pleased to offer solutions such as Candid Clear aligners to eliminate the need for metal bracket-and-wire braces for most of our patients.

How do I learn more about sleep apnea alternative treatments?

If you reside in the area of Bloomfield Hills, MI, and want to speak to our team about your options for treatment outside of traditional CPAP devices, call our office at  (248) 266-1709 to request a visit to our practice, located at 60 West, Big Beaver Rd, Suite 135, Bloomfield Hills Michigan. We serve patients in and around the areas of Orchard Lake, Bingham Farms, Rochester Hills, Beverly Hills, and Birmingham, Michigan.