Sleep Apnea
Improving Health:
San Antonio Dentist
Offers a Better Night's Sleep
American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine Diplomate, Dr. Kenneth Livingston Treats Sleep Apnea, Snoring
Sleeping with a CPAP machine, which includes a face mask, tubing and a constantly running motor, can be difficult, and many Live Oak residents are unaware that an effective – and comfortable – treatment is available. Dr. Livingston is committed to using his knowledge of dental sleep medicine to help treat his patients’ snoring and sleep apnea while providing Live Oak residents with a better night’s rest.
While CPAP is the standard treatment for sleep apnea, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine estimates up to 50 percent of sleep apnea patients do not comply with or tolerate CPAP. In contrast to a CPAP machine, oral appliances are a mouth guard-like device worn only during sleep to maintain an open, unobstructed airway. Patients like oral appliance therapy because it’s comfortable, easy to wear, quiet, portable and easy to care for.
Oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option that offers a higher rate of patient compliance than CPAP. Dr. Livingston works with his patients and their sleep physicians to identify the right oral appliance device, custom fit devices to each patient and make any needed adjustments to ensure an open airway and a more restful sleep.
Oral Appliance Therapy for OSA
The Facts
Oral appliance therapy (OAT) is a proven treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and should be presented as an option to patients seeking therapy for OSA.
OAT is Effective
Studies have demonstrated that OAT effectively treats OSA through reduction in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and respiratory disturbance index in patients. Studies have demonstrated similar effectiveness between OAT and CPAP, even among patients with moderate-to-severe OSA.
OAT Provides the same short and long-term health benefits as CPAP
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality
- Reduction in blood pressure
- Improved sleep quality
- Reduced daytime sleepiness
- Reduced depression
- Improved driving performance
- Better quality of life
Patients Comply with OAT
CPAP is often prescribed as the first-line therapy for those with OSA; however, about 50% of patients will become non-compliant with their treatment after one year. Studies have indicated that up to 93% of patients are compliant with OAT.
Patients Prefer OAT
As many as 81% of patients prefer OAT to CPAP because it is effective, easy to use, easy to transport, quiet, comfortable, noninvasive and less obtrusive.
About the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) is the only non-profit national professional society dedicated exclusively to the practice of dental sleep medicine. The AADSM provides educational resources for dentists and promotes the use of oral appliance therapy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing. Established in 1991, the AADSM has nearly 3,000 member dentists worldwide. Visit aadsm.org or call the national office at (630) 686-9875 for more information.