One of the things that we do every year as part of your exam is we do oral cancer screening. And part of that oral cancer screening is we do assess your airway. And if we see that you have a risk of sleep apnea, there’s a short 10-question test we can give you. If it seems like you might have that, we actually have the testing equipment in our office. We’re able to send you home with a home sleep study, very similar to what you would have at any kind of dedicated sleep center.
And then we have a doctor on retainer that can read that information and decide if it’s appropriate for you to have what’s called a mandibular advancement device made. We’re able to make that for you. What a mandibular advancement device does is it pulls the lower jaw forward slightly. It’s a night guard that they wear that pulls the jaw forward slightly, and it causes the tongue to move forward, which opens that airway up a little bit. And a lot of times it won’t eliminate sleep apnea, but it will reduce it tremendously to the point where it’s not a medical risk anymore.
Reclaim Your Peaceful Nights with Our Sleep Apnea Solutions
If you snore, wake up gasping for air, experience dry mouth, and struggle with morning headaches, you may have sleep apnea. If you mention these symptoms during your next checkup, your dentist will connect you with a specialist for testing. If your sleep disorder is confirmed, your dentist will create an oral appliance that will:
- Keep Your Airways Open – The device will gently move your jaw forward while you sleep. This stops the soft tissues in your throat from closing during the night. So you will no longer snore or experience moments of gasping for air during the night.
- Prioritize Your Comfort – CPAP machines are a common treatment option for sleep apnea. However, they can be uncomfortable and awkward. Our custom-made oral appliance is barely noticeable when worn. It fits comfortably in your mouth like a sports mouthguard. It will quickly become a seamless part of your bedtime routine.
- Offer a Customized Fit – Unlike generic, store-bought snore guards, your custom oral appliance is crafted to fit you perfectly. You’ll appreciate the comfort and durability of your appliance. You’ll enjoy long-lasting relief without needing frequent replacements.
Call (303) 449-3132 for help with your sleep apnea in Boulder. You can also request an appointment online.