Oral Appliance Therapy in Redding

Oral appliance therapy can be an effective treatment option for airway-related conditions including sleep apnea. This is a serious sleep disorder where a person’s breathing is affected while they’re asleep. There are three types of sleep apnea – obstructive, central, and mixed – and although symptoms may vary with all three, they can adversely affect sleep and overall health without proper treatment.

Oral appliance therapy aims to prevent the tongue from blocking the throat and/or advancing the lower jaw. These, in turn, open up the airway and lead to better sleep and health. 

Oral appliance devices and usage vary from patient to patient depending on individual needs and symptoms. During your consultation with Dr. Barnhart, you will receive a customized treatment plan to get you optimal, long-term results.

How Does Oral Appliance Therapy Help Sleep?

For patients who have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, dental appliance therapy – or devices that prevent the tongue from blocking the throat and/or that advance the lower jaw forward – can be helpful in reducing symptoms and improving sleep.

At Rachel Barnhart DDS, we use oral appliance therapy for both sleep apnea and Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). Dr. Barnhart offers multiple types of oral appliances including:

• Mandibular advancement devices. These help to bring the lower jaw forward, improving airway function.
• Short-term treatment. As part of other sleep disorders or TMD treatment, Dr. Barnhart may use a temporary oral appliance such as the MyTAP system for short-term relief between other treatments.
• TMD/TMJ appliances. For teeth grinding, jaw pain, and other symptoms associated with TMD or TMJ, Dr. Barnhart may prescribe an appliance such as the Oasis splint system to stabilize the joints of the jaw.
• Customized night guards. On an individualized basis, Dr. Barnhart may prescribe a customized night guard for symptom relief.

What are the Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy?

Although oral appliances can take some time to adjust to, this type of therapy has multiple benefits, such as:

• Portability
• Ease of use
• Convenience
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Can be adapted as either a short-term or long-term treatment option

To learn more about five simple steps you can take to snoring and sleep apnea symptom relief visit the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine’s (AADSM) dental sleep website. Dr. Barnhart is a Qualified Dentist of the AADSM and a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM).

Call Dr. Barnhart Today to Get Started!

If you’re experiencing TMD or sleep-related symptoms and aren’t sure how to find relief, call us today or schedule an appointment online to see Dr. Barnhart and receive individualized care using the most modern methods and technology.