New Patient Forms Request an Appointment

Oral Appliance Therapy - Bethesda, MD

A common method of sleep apnea treatment involves a CPAP machine. If you've ever used this system, you know how loud and cumbersome it is. Patients have difficulty adjusting to sleeping with the CPAP mask over their face, sleeping with the noise of the respirator, and traveling with the bulky equipment. Patients who have used the CPAP and discontinued treatment are said to be CPAP intolerant. Keep reading to learn more about our CPAP alternative, sleep apnea oral appliance therapy in Bethesda, MD.

When Should You Consider an Oral Appliance?

Oral appliance therapy is an effective alternative to CPAP. Instead of a noisy respirator and a facial mask, the patient simply wears an appliance during sleep. That sounds simple enough... but how can an oral appliance treat sleep apnea?

An Alternative for CPAP Intolerant Patients

Oral appliances work by repositioning the jaw or tongue forward, which opens airways and allows the wearer to breathe easy while sleeping. Similar to an athletic mouth guard or orthodontic retainer, oral appliances are custom-made for each patient for a snug fit that offers maximum tolerance. They’re easy to use and clean, and they slip into a compact, protective case for easy traveling.

CPAP intolerant patients have found relief from snoring and sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. The appliance is thin, flexible, and portable, offering relief that's comfortable and effective.

What Should I Expect with an Oral Appliance?

Though most sleep apnea patients adjust well to oral appliance therapy, some may experience slight side effects when they first begin wearing an oral appliance. Effects are usually minor and temporary, and may include the following:

These symptoms often disappear after a few nights.

Recommendations from the AASM and the AADSM

When it comes to sleep apnea therapy, The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) offer guidance and set standards for patient care. Dr. Greenbaum is dedicated to providing care that meets and exceeds these standards!The AASM and AADSM recommend patients seek treatment from a dental practitioner using oral appliance therapy in the following situations:

If you're tired of your CPAP and would like a convenient alternative, contact Dr. Greenbaum for a free consultation. Oral appliance therapy can restore silent, refreshing sleep and greatly improve your day-to-day quality of life.