Ellis Dental Provides Travel-friendly Treatment Option for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Snoring
This summer, many Americans will hit the roads and runways for family vacations, business and leisure travel. But for snorers and sleep apnea patients, extensive travel can be a hassle. Fortunately, for the 12-18 million Americans with sleep apnea, a treatment from dentists called oral appliance therapy is making travel easier.
Summer Travel - Ellis Dental
Oral appliance therapy is an effective alternative to the standard treatment of sleep apnea – the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine that includes a face mask, tubing and a constantly running motor. Not only are CPAP machines more cumbersome for travel, but up to half of sleep apnea patients can’t tolerate the mask.
“Oral appliances look like a sports mouth guard and can lessen a frequent traveler’s load,” said Dr. Ellis, a St. Louis, MO dentist and member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM). “For many, oral appliances are more comfortable to wear than a CPAP mask and more portable for travel. My patients prefer it as a more convenient solution for living with sleep apnea.”
AADSM recommends oral appliance therapy for people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or those who can’t comply with CPAP. Once a patient is diagnosed with primary snoring or OSA by a board-certified sleep physician, a dentist practicing dental sleep medicine can provide treatment with oral appliance therapy.
Compared to CPAP, oral appliances are also quiet and easy to care for. There are more than 80 different styles of oral appliance devices that have received FDA clearance, and these prescription devices are typically covered by medical insurance.
Dr. Holly Ellis, owner of Ellis Dental, is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
“Treatment for sleep apnea shouldn’t take a vacation just because you do,” said Dr. Ellis. “With oral appliance therapy, travelers can seamlessly continue their sleep apnea treatment while on the road. And ultimately, consistently wearing your oral appliance will ensure you get better sleep and have a more enjoyable trip.”
Frequent travelers with sleep apnea or loud, frequent snoring can go to http://www.ellisdental.com/sleep-dentistry to learn more about oral appliance therapy.
More about Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea causes people to stop breathing up to hundreds of times a night for anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute. OSA occurs when the tongue and soft palate collapse onto the back of the throat, blocking the upper airway. Loud, frequent snoring and daytime sleepiness are common symptoms.
About The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) is the only non-profit national professional society dedicated exclusively to the practice of dental sleep medicine. The AADSM provides educational resources for dentists and promotes the use of oral appliance therapy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing. Established in 1991, the AADSM has nearly 3,000 member dentists worldwide.