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CPAP

CPAP

Millions of Americans have a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine to ease the symptoms of sleep apnea. Unfortunately, this method of treatment is old-fashioned, clunky, and difficult to adjust to. In addition, individuals with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea can benefit from the use of an alternative treatment method. At Breathe and Thrive in St. Croix Falls, WI, Dr. Debi Kuntz, offers custom oral appliance therapy as an alternative to CPAP. If you’re interested in learning more about this treatment alternative, make an appointment today by calling the office at (715) 557-4839 or by requesting an appointment here.

What is a CPAP machine?

Continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP is a safe and effective means of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. People who use a CPAP machine wear a face mask during sleep that’s attached to a special pump that forces air into their nasal passages, overcoming obstructions and stimulating normal breathing. A CPAP is incredibly popular, but not all patients can tolerate the mask. In addition, if you frequently travel, packing and unpacking your CPAP gear (as well as maintaining its cleanliness) can become tedious. Fortunately, if you have mild or moderate sleep apnea, you have other treatment options.  

What are the alternatives to CPAP?

At Breathe and Thrive, Dr. Kuntz offers custom oral appliances to address sleep apnea. A custom oral appliance is similar to a night guard.

However, instead of protecting your teeth from grinding or clenching, a custom oral appliance (or mandibular position device) pushes your lower jaw forward, opening up your airways. In addition to helping you to breath better while you sleep, oral appliances are also adjustable.

Am I a candidate for non-CPAP sleep apnea treatment?

To determine if you’re a candidate for a custom oral appliance, make an appointment at Breathe and Thrive.

Following an oral exam, review of your medical history, and discussion of your symptoms, Dr. Kuntz can make recommendations that align with your unique needs.

Although Dr. Kuntz can’t diagnose sleep apnea, he does screen patients for potential airway disorders. If Dr. Kuntz notices any warning signs of sleep apnea, he can refer you to a specialist for a sleep test.

Following a sleep test and diagnosis, Dr. Kuntz can be involved in making recommendations for treatment.

What is the process for receiving a custom oral appliance?

To create a custom oral appliance, Dr. Kuntz conducts an oral exam. Afterward, he will take digital impressions of your teeth (no gooey dental putty impressions). Dr. Kuntz sends your impressions to a dental laboratory that fabricates your custom oral appliance.

You return to Breathe and Thrive a few weeks later. During your second appointment, you try on your custom oral appliance, and Dr. Kuntz makes any necessary adjustments. He also provides you with a list of instructions to help you adjust to wearing your appliance, clean and care for your oral appliance, and schedule of follow-up visits.

If you’re tired of using CPAP to manage your sleep apnea, you have other treatment options in the St. Croix Falls, WI area. To request your custom oral appliance consultation, call Breathe and Thrive at (715) 557-4839 or request an appointment here.