Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

Has the dentist in Sarasota diagnosed you with sleep apnea? Are you looking for treatment options? Here’s a look at some common treatments.

Positive Airway Pressure Devices

The positive airway pressure machines are used with a variety of breathing masks. They are the commonly used machines for treating moderate to severe sleep apnea. The mask worn over the nose and sometimes over both nose and mouth, during the sleep supplies pressurized air, which flows continuously into the sleeper’s throat.

Oral Appliances

Oral appliances in 34238 for the treatment of sleep apnea have become immensely popular. More than 100 different oral appliances are FDA approved for treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. The appliances are worn in mouth just like sports guards while you sleep.

Adjusting to Oral Appliance Therapy

The custom-made oral appliances are adjustable and the dentist in Sarasota will work with you for maintaining the jaw position by monitoring your progress. You must maintain the follow-up schedule to make sure that the device is working and fitting properly.

Weight Loss

It has been observed that almost 70% of the people with OSA are overweight or obese. Losing weight can help in reducing the symptoms of sleep apnea.

Surgery (Adults)

The surgery may or may not be effective depending on the part of the upper airway causing obstruction to airflow. Given the several sites where airway obstruction may exist, there are several types of operations used for treating sleep apnea.

Surgery (Children)

Many children with snoring or sleep apnea have enlarged tonsils or adenoids or both. In 75% of the cases, surgical removal of these tissues cures sleep breathing problems.


It’s important to avoid consuming alcohol before bedtime. People who have cardiac pacemakers also show improvement in their sleep apnea.


Snoring can be an early sign of sleep apnea so it’s important to consult a medical professional who can diagnose the underlying cause of snoring.

Anesthesia and Pain Medicine

The presence of sleep apnea causes challenges in administering anesthesia and pain medications, as they may affect respiration or relax muscles. The anesthesiologist is advised to screen the patient for OSA before proceeding.
