Treatment Options

Dental Appliances

A small oral appliance, best fitted by a dentist with special training, that pushes the jaw slightly forward allowing better airflow.

Advantages

  • Easier to use and easier to maintain when compared to other complicated devices like CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)
  • Studies show most patients prefer its use to CPAP
  • Improvement in sleep in many patients
  • Extraordinary reduction in snoring in many patients
  • Dental devices are small in size and as such can be conveniently used even when the patient is traveling
  • Oral appliances are considered to be more effective than most types of surgery

Disadvantages

  • Most effective in mild to moderate cases but it is recommended for severe sleep apnea if CPAP can’t be tolerated
  • Requires regular dental supervision to ensure proper use
  • May produce side effects such as soreness; damage to jaw, teeth and mouth; saliva build-up and in rare cases nausea
  • Permanent changes in the position of teeth and jaw occur in some cases where patients use it on a long term basis

CPAP

CPAP is a machine which blows air at a particular pressure inside the airway passage of the affected person.
This in turn enables smooth and easy breathing for the patient.

Advantages

  • Gold standard of care for severe sleep apnea
  • Safe
  • Effective
  • Immediate relief
  • Studies show that CPAP helps the heart to function better, including the control of cholesterol

Disadvantages

  • Difficult to use, so many patients tend to stop its use within the first year
  • May be claustrophobic, uncomfortable or embarrassing. Only proper fit can avoid discomfort
  • The machine may sometimes turn out to be noisy
  • A lifelong treatment using CPAP can be difficult psychologically
  • Not portable

Surgery

  • Nasal airway surgery
  • Palate implants
  • Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
  • Tongue reduction
  • Genioglossus advancement
  • Hyoid suspension
  • Maxillomandibular procedures
  • Tracheostomy
  • Bariatric surgery and
  • Combinations of the above

Advantages

  • Avoids use of CPAP or night-time appliances
  • Can provide permanent relief

Some risks associated with surgery include:

  • Pain
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Scar tissue
  • Loss of work
  • Change in voice
  • Problems swallowing
  • Failure to cure sleep apnea
  • Anaesthesia risks (including allergic reaction, stroke, heart attack and death)
  • As well as other unforeseen surgical complications

Behavioural Changes

  • Weight loss
  • Eliminate the use of alcohol, tobacco and sedatives such as sleeping pills
  • Sleep on your side
  • Regularize your sleep hours

Advantages

  • Un-intrusive
  • Can be done independently
  • May work in mild cases

Disadvantages

  • Difficult to maintain
  • Does not work in moderate to severe cases

To find out what treatment options might be right for you please contact us today for a personal and confidential consultation 416.224.9998.