Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment in

East Portland, OR

The East Portland dental practice of Dr. David N. Carothers treats patients suffering from mild to moderate sleep apnea who cannot tolerate a CPAP machine or are considered a good candidate for oral appliance therapy. To schedule an appointment with our office, you will need a complete sleep study (done within the last year). Patients need to have a current MD to provide the diagnosis.

What is Oral Appliance Therapy?

Custom made oral appliances, such as mandibular advancement devices, effectively treat obstructive sleep apnea. They are worn at night and adjust the position of your jaw to prevent chronic obstruction from occurring while you are sleeping. Dr. Carothers offers a choice of appliances but has found the best success with RESPIRE, an easy-to-use system that is simple to adjust for your comfort and produces excellent results.

While there are some cases of sleep apnea that require the use of a CPAP machine, most cases do not. Many of our sleep apnea patients who have had trouble adjusting to this forced air method of apnea prevention have found more complete relief after switching to treatment with oral appliances.

Dr. Carothers is a Diplomate with the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine with more than 25 hours of Continuing Education including clinical proficiency. His extensive experience treating sleep apnea in the Portland area has earned him an excellent reputation in this field. He has developed a smooth process that helps his patients gain control over a bothersome and serious condition quickly and easily.

A Straightforward Solution for a Complex Problem

Dr. Carothers has personal experience with sleep apnea as he himself suffers from the condition. He has become passionate about the use of oral appliances as this method has been helping him for many years. At our practice, we understand the importance of treating obstructive sleep apnea and works with your medical insurance plan to make these devices affordable.

Oral appliance therapy can be used as an alternative to CPAP as well as in conjunction with this machine. Our devices travel well, are small enough to fit into a shaving or cosmetic bag, and won’t stop working when the power goes out.

Treatment for Sleep Apnea with Oral Appliances

The initial evaluation includes reviewing your answers to the Epworth Sleepiness Scale which, along with other information, provides Dr. Carothers with enough details to determine if you're a good candidate for an oral appliance. If you feel like you may have Obstructive Sleep Apnea or a spouse or significant other does, please select the link below and print the Epworth Scale.

Epworth Sleepiness Scale

We work closely with your primary care provider and your insurance carrier to help the process go smoothly and provide our own diagnostic tests for those without an MD they feel comfortable with.

Once you have been approved for treatment, our dentist will measure your airway, take precise impressions, and craft your custom appliance. Our trusted lab typically delivers your new device in under two weeks. Once you’ve begun using the appliance, Dr. Carothers will make any necessary adjustments.

Important Jaw Stretches for Dental Sleep Apnea Devices

To help prevent side effects involving bite changes or jaw soreness from oral appliance therapy Dr. Dave makes you a repositioner to wear each morning for 20 minutes after taking out your appliance, also incorporating morning jaw stretches or using alignment tools could be helpful and recommended by most qualified dental sleep medicine practitioners for their snoring and apnea patients who are using oral appliances.

· Recommended jaw stretches by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM)

· Here is a list of stretches recommended by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM). You can follow along for a clearer video demonstration here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBoe7rcQRLA&t=3s

Tongue Up – Open & Close Stretch

Step 1. While seated, rest your head back on a comfortable surface

Step 2. Place your tip of the tongue behind your front upper teeth

Step 3. Open and close

Step 4. Repeat 10 times

Tongue Up – Back & Forth Stretch

Step 1. Place your tongue behind your front teeth

Step 2. Slide your tongue toward the back of your throat and return to the front

Step 3. Repeat 10 times

Fist Under Jaw Stretch

Step 1. Place your fist under your chin or lower jaw

Step 2. Open and close your mouth (without overextending your jaw) slowly against the pressure of your fist

Step 3. Repeat 10 times

2 Fingers Forward Chin Stretch

Step 1. Place 2 fingers on the center of your chin

Step 2. Push your chin outwards towards the resistance of your fingers

Step 3. Move your chin back to a resting position

Step 4. Repeat 10 times

2 Finger Right Chin Stretch

Step 1. Place 2 fingers against the right side of your chin

Step 2. Move your jaw to the right against the pressure of your fingers

Step 3. Bring your jaw back to your resting position

Step 4. Repeat 10 times.

2 Finger Left Chin Stretch

Step 1. Place 2 fingers against the left side of your chin

Step 2. Move your jaw to the left against the pressure of your fingers

Step 3. Bring your jaw back to your resting position

Step 4. Repeat 10 times

Our entire team takes great pride in the results we’ve been able to produce for our patients seeking sleep apnea treatment in Portland. If you snore, experience interrupted sleep or daytime fatigue, call Dr. Carothers today to get relief!