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Can A Dentist Treat Sleep Apnea? YES!

Can A Dentist Treat Sleep Apnea? YES!

Yes, your sleep apnea oral appliance solution for snoring can be treated at my Lansing, MI dental office. I have the training, skills, and experience to treat mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea for my patients. To treat this condition, I may recommend a custom-made oral appliance. But first, it’s crucial to learn and fully understand the patient’s condition in order to get a full grasp of how we will move forward with treatment.

Hello, this is Dr. Jonathan J. Bechtel and I understand and empathize with the discomfort and distress that sleep apnea can cause which is why we’re here to offer our help to all those affected living in Lansing and the surrounding area.

An Alternative to CPAP For Patients With Sleep Apnea

I focus on providing conservative, biocompatible treatment options that uphold our holistic wellness standards. While CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) machine is the preferred method of treatment for severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea, many people cannot tolerate sleeping with the machine. For patients who cannot tolerate a CPAP, I can provide a custom oral appliance option. Oral appliance therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment that fits easily into your lifestyle. Some patients who do tolerate their CPAP may just want a better option for travel, so my oral appliance option is very helpful to them.

Oral appliances have high success rates when it comes to treating mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). They are effective for about 70% of mild cases and 60% of moderate cases. These appliances are customized for you and promote the proper positioning of the tongue and tissues around the throat during sleep.

Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance: SomnoDent®

I use a SomnoDent® sleep apnea oral appliance at my practice, which is a premium, custom-fitted dental device developed for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. SomnoDent® oral devices are clinically proven, safe, and FDA cleared for mild-to-moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). It is an effective, comfortable, and durable alternative to CPAP therapy or corrective surgery. By simply wearing a SomnoDent® oral appliance while sleeping, your lower jaw (mandible) will be moved forward into a comfortable position, allowing relaxation of the tissues at the back of your throat and ensuring the base of your tongue does not collapse and block your airway, giving you a safe and soundless sleep.

Oral Appliance Therapy at our Dental Practice in Lansing, MI

Your SomnoDent® custom oral appliance will be created using physical or digital impressions and models of your teeth. I will send these impressions and models to our trusted dental lab where your oral appliance is made. We’ll set up a follow-up appointment once your oral appliance has been created for a fitting. I will make any adjustments necessary to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness. A member of my team will go over care and cleaning instructions. After your fitting appointment, we may refer you to a sleep study clinic for observation.

Sleep Apnea Diagnosis & Treatment in Lansing, MI

Sleep apnea is a common, yet potentially serious condition in which an individual’s sleep is continually disrupted as a result of air being unable to flow into the lungs, preventing the person from being able to breathe regularly. Severe sleep apnea can lead to highly concerning and potentially life-threatening complications such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Contact Us For Your Sleep Apnea & Snoring Treatment

If you believe that you may be experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, we urge you to contact our office as soon as possible at 517-882-7132 to schedule your appointment and start your journey to better wellness. I have successfully treated sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy since 2008 and many patients experience relief from the associated symptoms and improve their overall health with a custom oral appliance device. Our holistically inclined, health centered dentistry office in Lansing, MI serves patients living throughout Lansing, Holt, Okemos, Mason, Grand Ledge, Dewitt, Haslett, Williamston, St. Johns, Charlotte, Eaton Rapids, East Lansing, Potterville, and other surrounding areas.