12 Oct Can I wear an Oral Appliance if I have Severe Sleep Apnea?
The answer to this question is yes. There is still an opportunity for those patients who have severe sleep to wear an oral appliance. Patients that travel and camp can enjoy the comfort and easy transport of an oral appliance instead of having to worry about where to plug in their CPAP.
Several physicians have approved combination therapy as they have found the oral appliance does help to enhance the experience of the CPAP by helping to reduce the pressure of the CPAP. For those patients that could not tolerate a CPAP before can now wear one when they wear an oral appliance.
The CPAP can be a very effective treatment if the patient can wear it. However, if the patient cannot tolerate the CPAP or has difficulty adjusting to the mask or air pressure, then an oral appliance may help the patent get some benefit of getting more oxygen by gently holding the jaw slightly forward which prevents the tongue from collapsing in the back of the patient’s throat. This allows the patient to reduce their snoring and reduce the apnea episodes, so the patient can breathe better.
A patient can see a doctor who specializes in sleep medicine to get a prescription for both an oral appliance and a CPAP for treatment. It is ultimately the doctor’s decision. Several doctors are open to the idea, but you will need to meet with one to have the discussion. KC Sleep Health is here to help you with your sleep journey.