If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, your dentist may recommend that you use a customized oral sleep appliance. These devices are also effective in the treatment of snoring, however, if you are a heavy snorer it is wise to do a sleep study to detect sleep apnea just to be safe. Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes the affected person to stop and start breathing as they sleep. In addition to snoring, the disorder can have more severe effects including heart problems, hypertension/high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, and in some cases even type 2 diabetes.

So, how does the oral sleep appliance come into play? Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with sleep apnea or simply like to control your snoring, the first step is to ask your dentist if they offer the device or can refer you to someone that does.

The Device

The most common appliance is called a mandibular advancement device (MAD). It looks similar to the kind of mouthguard used by athletes or those suffering from nighttime teeth grinding, but with metal hinges that allow the device to snap into place. This stabilizes the tongue and soft palate which allows the airway to stay open during sleep. Interestingly, the device can also manage teeth grinding, but not in the way you might think. A strong correlation has been found between sleep apnea and teeth grinding, as the grinding/clenching motion is an involuntary reaction our body has when our airway is closed. Keeping the airway open eliminates the need for this reaction.

Advantages

Patients choose oral sleep appliances for two key reasons:

1) Convenience. The mouthguard-like device is more straightforward and less obtrusive than other treatment options, like a CPAP machine for instance. CPAP machines can be large and unwieldy, and some of them make noise that can keep the user (or their partner who is finally free of their snoring) awake. The mouthguard also maintains the user’s ability to walk around, speak, drink water, etc., and much easier to travel with than options like CPAP machines.

2) To Avoid Surgery. Many specialists will recommend surgery to treat sleep apnea, but not everyone may wish to undergo (or can afford) a surgical procedure. Treating a mild-to-moderate case of the disorder without surgery is usually a more sensible route.

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If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea or suffer from heavy snoring and would like to learn more about oral sleep appliances, call Austin Bluffs Dental at (719) 593-8488.

We look forward to seeing you!

As your Colorado Springs dentist, we at Austin Bluffs Dental are able to care for nearly all your dental needs in our beautiful, state-of-the-art facility. On those rare occasions when a specialist is required, Dr. Kearney is happy to refer you to the top specialty doctors in the area, while continuing to coordinate your overall treatment.

We invite you to come share your smile with us and see how we can work together to help you achieve optimal dental health through fun, straightforward care!

To schedule your appointment, click the button below to book online or call our office at (719) 593–8488.

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Our Reviews

I’ve been going to Dr. Kearney for 33 years now and never had something I needed special work on until this month when I broke off a piece of my tooth on a popcorn kernel. I was able to get an appointment that same day and waited only a few minutes before the dental assistant looked at the tooth, took X-rays, and Dr. Kearney came in a few minutes later and repaired the tooth. I was done in an hour and able to eat later that night with no pain.
PeterPeter Yost, Patient at Austin Bluffs Dental

Kind, friendly, helpful staff. Good quality service. I recommend.

ChristinaChristina Castillo, Patient at Austin Bluffs Dental

I am so happy I have finally found a dental home!!! I love the staff…Dr. Kearney, Leslie, Chris and Barbara thank you for making me feel so incredibly comfortable and welcome. Going to the dentist can be scary but this office is so inviting…plus they play great music. I would definitely recommend to my friends and family!!!

LindseyLindsey Ryan, Patient at Austin Bluffs Dental

Always a great professional and personable visit! All staff members are awesome and have really great sense of urgency and humors. They get to know you and call you by your first name, that just makes you feel right at home! Family has had the best dental experience in 15 years. Dr. Kearney is amazing, he’s quick and painless. Love his attention to detail, great prices, tips on dental health and his knowledge. Will be there for the for seeable future!

TonyTony Thomas, Patient at Austin Bluffs Dental

I was treated with the utmost respect and compassion. I had two extractions and expected to have severe pain but I have been able to go all day without any medication. Dr. Kearney and staff are extremely pleasant to deal with. Dr. Kearney even called me up that evening to check on how I was doing! I have found my new dentist.

Linda Krenrich, Patient at Austin Bluffs Dental
Dr. Kearney at Austin Bluffs Dental is an excellent dentist. The staff is well established and does an excellent job as well. I am very happy with the work he and his team do. I have been a patient for over 10 years and have had a lot of work done on my teeth, both cosmetic and necessary. All of the work is holding up very well, not a single problem! It is awesome going into their office with such a personable staff. Thanks for your hard work and for giving me the ability to smile confidently!
David Bergstrom, Patient at Austin Bluffs Dental

Doc K and the team is great – caring, thorough and very attentive to detail. What more could you want! Thanks for not retiring yet and pushing through this pandemic to care for your patients!

JoelJoel Tanaka, Patient at Austin Bluffs Dental
How often do you go to the dentist and actually have fun? I did today! The entire Austin Bluffs Dental team is very friendly and was caring about my comfort. But their willingness to joke around and have fun certainly made it much easier to walk into that hour-long treatment in the chair. Compared to the somber, no-smile dentists I’ve been to in the past, walking into a friendly, laughing atmosphere is really enjoyable. Of course, I’m not saying Dr. Kearney’s jokes were actually good, (😄), but his work absolutely was! Minimum discomfort, continuous checking on how I was feeling, and an explanation of what will be done on the next visit. I’m actually looking forward to it – never thought I’d ever say that about going to the dentist!!
Glyn Howells, Patient at Austin Bluffs Dental

My experience with Dr. Kearney was exactly what I was hoping for. For anyone who quakes at the thought of going to the dentist is fear of being in an uncomfortable situation with a rushed feeling, this office setting was relaxing from the moment I walked in. The office staff was friendly and caring, making me feel at ease and like I was important to them even as a new client. The amount time I was given to address my conditions and concerns with Dr. Kearney was more than two previous attempts I had made to be diagnosed. His attention to detail for every issue, attention to detail for exact treatment down to every tooth was exactly what I needed to know even if it was daunting to find out the amount of damage that has occurred. Being given the truth and not fluff on how long, how extensive, and how much the cost would be makes all the difference in the world.

K, Patient at Austin Bluffs Dental
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