Dr. Drew Shabo provides oral appliance therapy to manage sleep apnea so that you can get the rest you need to enjoy a healthier quality of life. Oral appliances are a great option for treating sleep apnea and are often recommended for mild to moderate conditions or snoring disorders. An oral appliance may also be recommended as an alternative treatment option if you cannot tolerate using a CPAP machine.
Sleep apnea is caused by obstructions in the airway. These obstructions are typically the result of the soft tissues of the throat “collapsing” or the tongue rolling back to block the throat and airway. Oral appliance therapy works to keep the airways open so that you can breathe normally while asleep. Oral appliances work by advancing the lower jaw slightly forward. This movement tightens the soft tissues and muscles of the upper airway, preventing them from vibrating and becoming an obstruction to your airway while you sleep. An oral appliance will also help the tissues at the back of your throat relax and prevent your tongue from rolling back. This will give you a safe and soundless sleep so that you can get the rest you need to stay healthy.
As the premier provider of oral appliances and dental sleep medicine in the Knoxville area, we are proud to provide personalized care to meet your needs. Our dentist and team offer exclusively oral appliances and have extensive experience in designing custom appliances. We have seen every type of mouth and every type of problem, allowing to us diagnose your exact needs and create an oral appliance that is right for you.
Each oral appliance is custom milled to fit your mouth perfectly. Your device is based on an imprint taken of your mouth, and we consider a variety of different manufacturers, styles and designs when creating your appliance. We also consider your oral health needs during this design process. Do you grind your teeth? Does your appliance need to accommodate missing teeth? Does your appliance need to be made of a softer, harder or more flexible material? Your appliance will be completely unique due to your individual needs and preferences, and no two appliances that leave Southland Dental are the same.
After creating your oral appliance, we will also provide follow-up care to ensure that your appliance is working properly as well as remaining comfortable.
We welcome to you call us at 865-671-1544 to schedule a consultation with our experienced dentist and learn more about oral appliance therapy in Knoxville, Tennessee.