The Problem With CPAP

When patients are diagnosed with sleep apnea, they’re prescribed a continuous positive airway passage (CPAP) machine to help alleviate their symptoms. The device works by pumping oxygen through a mask to keep your throat from blocking your airway as you sleep. This treatment is effective in treating the symptoms. However, most patients consider the machine to be inconvenient and uncomfortable, in some cases stopping treatment altogether. 

At Just Smile Dental, sleep dentist Dr. Webley offers alternatives to CPAP. If you currently use a machine and are looking for holistic treatment options in the Everett area, our practice can help. Learn how our alternatives can treat your symptoms while giving you the quality sleep you deserve.

CPAP Drawbacks

Despite CPAP machines being used to alleviate sleep apnea symptoms, patients can experience many issues with it such as:

  • Being noisy and bulky
  • Feeling claustrophobic
  • Inconvenient to travel with
  • Forces you to sleep on your back
  • Skin irritation or pressure sores
  • Waking up with a sore throat or stuffy nose

Oral Appliances

If you’re looking for an alternative to CPAP, Dr. Webley is proud to offer intra-oral devices to alleviate sleep apnea symptoms. This device is similar to a mouthguard or a dental retainer and is customized to fit your teeth. An oral device works by gently shifting your jaw forward to prevent your airway from collapsing as you sleep. These portable oral devices are effective in treating your sleep apnea symptoms.  

Furthermore, many patients prefer oral devices to CPAP machines, mainly because it’s nonintrusive and silent. It’s small, comfortable, and customized for you, and you can take it anywhere. Our oral appliances are a favorite among our patients.

TMJ Treatment

Studies have found sleep apnea and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder are linked since both conditions can develop together and reinforce one another. Since sleep apnea can affect your mouth and throat positions, your jaw can become tense to the point you feel pain when you try to speak, eat, or open your mouth. Dr. Webley provides TMJ treatment to alleviate any symptoms associated with TMJ disorder.

Trigger Point Therapy

When sleep apnea disrupts your sleep, your body isn’t getting enough rest to prepare you for the day. Sleep apnea can cause you to be stressed out and tense, leading you to have intense headaches as well as muscle spasms. Fortunately, Dr. Webley offers trigger point therapy to help relax your body and alleviate the pain. He’ll also prescribe you an oral device to prevent your throat from becoming too relaxed and worsening your sleep apnea symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sleep apnea life-threatening?

Yes, sleep apnea can become life-threatening if left untreated for too long. Such serious health consequences can be:

  • Strokes 
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes 
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure

It’s crucial to seek treatment after receiving your diagnosis as soon as possible. Contact our Everett office at (425) 341-1111 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Webley. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Are there natural solutions to sleep apnea?

Several lifestyle modifications can be done in order to alleviate your sleep apnea symptoms. Such modifications are:

  • Side-sleeping
  • Develop an exercise routine
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Avoid smoking, alcohol, sedatives

Dr. Webley and our dental team understand that every patient is unique and requires their own customized treatment plan. If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, schedule a consultation with Dr. Webley at our Everett office at (425) 341-1111 so he can customize a treatment plan that’s right for you.

Can my dental insurance cover the oral appliance cost?

Most insurance companies should be able to cover a portion of the treatment cost. We recommend speaking to your insurance provider to learn more about your coverage plan and benefits. We also offer affordable financing options so you don’t delay your treatment any longer. 

If you have any questions about your coverage plan, we’ll be more than happy to help you. Simply call our Everett office at (425) 341-1111 or come visit us in person!

Reclaim Your Sleep Now

Sleep apnea can affect your sleep and how you interact on a daily basis. If you’re looking for sleep apnea treatments in the Everett area or the surrounding areas such as Edmonds, Marysville, Lynnwood, and Silver Firs, Dr. Webley can help. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Webley at (425) 341-1111 or you can fill out our online contact form and one of our staff will assist you.