Sleep Apnea: Dental Fears Put to Bed

Using or considering using CPAP?

Dentists have a better solution.

People stick to it and like it more.

It’s been around for a while.

The reason it hasn’t caught on? Safety concerns.

Is the concern valid? Concluded in a new study in the Journal of Prosthodontics.

Oral appliances (OAs) are more comfortable than CPAP machines for many.

OAs are effective for up to 70% of sleep apnea patients.

But OAs for sleep apnea cause tooth or jaw damage?

The new study reviewed 42 studies of patients using OAs for 6+ months.

Findings:

1. Slight reduction in overbite and overjet (about 0.87 mm).

2. Minor changes in front teeth position:

- Upper teeth tipped slightly backward

- Lower teeth moved slightly forward

3. No changes in jawbone or facial structure.

The changes were very small – about four times the thickness of a human hair.

Researchers conclude that the benefits of improved sleep outweigh these minimal effects.

If you’re worried, regular dental check-ups can help monitor any changes while using an OA.

There is, however, a way to cure sleep apnea and correct jaw and teeth position at the same time… easy three-minute jaw exercises. Some people rid themselves of snoring and sleep apnea the first night…