Spark Sleep Solutions is a welcoming and professional practice where we understand that some sleep apnea treatments aren’t for everybody. That’s why we offer San Ramon sleep apnea treatment alternatives to CPAP that may help you breathe easier at night and wake up in the morning feeling rested and rejuvenated. For a sleep apnea dentist in San Ramon that you can count on, check out our Scotts Valley office at 4340 Scotts Valley Dr, Ste H.
For those who suffer from severe obstructive sleep apnea or OSA, the options for treatment were once limited. It was generally the assumption that severe OSA patients would require a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) to help their breathing airways stay open during sleep.
This intervention is far from ideal for numerous individuals who find the CPAP uncomfortable and difficult to get a restful night’s sleep while wearing. The lack of comfort and feasibility deterred many from seeking treatment of any kind, and their severe obstructive sleep apnea continued. But all that has changed since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration added a single word to their description of indicated uses for a particular line of oral devices.
One Word That Made All the Difference
The official FDA description for oral appliances previously only included moderate obstructive sleep apnea, but it has now been amended to include severe OSA as well. This is a major step since the FDA has never granted clearance to an oral appliance for the treatment of severe OSA before.
The oral appliance line in question comes from Vivos Therapeutics, the company that manufactured the CARE (Complete Airway Repositioning and/or Expansion) line of oral appliances. Now that the FDA has granted their 510(k) clearance, all three of Vivos’ appliances in this line can be used to help treat severe OSA, which includes their:
- Day and night appliance
- Mandibular-repositioning nighttime appliance
- Modified mandibular repositioning nighttime appliance
The Results Are In
Vivos reported that it usually takes less than 18 months for patients to complete this therapy. The company also noted that it took even less time for a high percentage of their patients.
Information received by the FDA revealed even more encouraging results. Their findings showed that patients were able to finish the treatment in less than 10 months on average.
A New Way to Test
One retrospective study looked at 220 patients who used devices from the CARE line. In the study, it was found that OSA symptoms were completely resolved in 25.9% of patients involved.
Importantly, each patient was tested without the appliance in use both before and after their treatment. This is opposed to traditional oral appliances, which generally need to be in the patient’s mouth to be tested properly. With the CARES appliances, on the other hand, their non-permanent and removable nature modified the upper airway so that the device works without the need for it to stay in.
Rest Easy With Help From a Sleep Apnea Dentist San Ramon
At Spark Sleep Solutions, we’re always happy to help you find the best San Ramon sleep apnea treatment for you. We serve San Ramon and surrounding areas from our Scotts Valley office located at 4340 Scotts Valley Dr, Ste H. Give us a call today and book an appointment.