Getting quality, restorative sleep isn’t just about feeling rested, it’s essential for protecting your long-term health. If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, effective treatment can reduce symptoms like loud snoring and morning fatigue while lowering your risk for serious health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and memory loss.

At her Carrollton dental practice, Dr. Tejal Kakade offers non-invasive, patient focused solutions to help residents in Carrollton, Villa Rica, and the surrounding West Georgia communities breathe easier and sleep better. Her approach is tailored to each patient’s unique needs, considering the type and severity of sleep apnea, lifestyle preferences, and tolerance for various therapies.

Oral Appliance Therapy: A Comfortable Alternative to CPAP

While CPAP therapy is often prescribed for moderate to severe sleep apnea, many patients find it uncomfortable or difficult to use consistently. For those with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), oral appliance therapy (OAT) can be an effective, more comfortable option.

Custom made and fitted by a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine, these devices work by keeping the airway open during sleep. The two main types are:

• Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs): Reposition the lower jaw slightly forward to prevent airway collapse.
• Tongue Retaining Appliances: Hold the tongue forward to keep the airway clear.

How It Works

An oral appliance is similar in size and shape to a sports mouthguard or orthodontic retainer, but it’s precisely designed to fit your mouth. It gently repositions the jaw or tongue to maintain an open airway and prevent breathing interruptions.

Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy include:

• Reduced or eliminated snoring
• Improved airflow during sleep
• Less daytime fatigue and greater mental alertness
• Comfortable, travel-friendly, and easy to use

Studies show that consistent oral appliance therapy can significantly improve blood oxygen levels during sleep, reducing strain on the heart and lowering the risk of cardiovascular complications linked to untreated sleep apnea.

Dr. Kakade’s Care Process

When you visit Dr. Kakade for sleep apnea treatment, she will:

• Review your diagnosis and sleep study results
• Evaluate your oral health, bite alignment, and airway anatomy
• Determine whether oral appliance therapy is right for you
• Create a custom device designed for maximum comfort and effectiveness

She also provides ongoing adjustments and follow up visits to ensure your appliance continues to deliver the best results over time.

Start Sleeping Better

If CPAP isn’t working for you or if you’re looking for a simpler, non-invasive way to manage your sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy may be the solution. Contact our Carrollton office today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward better sleep, better health, and more energized mornings.