Do you wake with a dry mouth or sore throat, or suffer from morning headaches? Are you excessively tired during the day, or irritable? You may be suffering from a form of sleep apnea.

According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, there are 22 million Americans afflicted with Sleep Apnea, and 80% with moderate sleep apnea go undiagnosed altogether. When left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, chronic heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.

If you have been diagnosed by a physician with a partially or fully obstructed airway, a dental appliance may be reasonable a treatment option. The dental devices may be an option for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea, or for patients who cannot tolerate their CPAP machine.

Worn only during sleep, an oral appliance fits like a sports mouth guard or an orthodontic retainer. It supports the jaw in a forward position to help maintain an open upper airway.Research shows that oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Amy Urban is certified to practice Dental Sleep Medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.