Oral Appliance Therapy
Hickory Creek, Texas
Oral appliances play an important role in protecting your smile, supporting better sleep, and preventing long-term dental problems. Whether you play sports, grind your teeth in your sleep, struggle with sleep apnea, or have undergone orthodontic treatment, Dr. Bell and his team at Alta Family Dental will custom-craft your oral appliance in Hickory Creek, TX, to enhance your comfort and provide the best possible protection for your smile.
What Is Oral Appliance Therapy?
Oral appliance therapy uses custom dental devices to support different oral health needs. The following is a look at the custom oral appliance options we offer:
Athletic Mouthguards: If you or a family member is involved in high-impact or contact sports, you are at an increased risk of dental injuries, ranging from knocked-out, dislodged, or broken teeth to jaw and soft tissue injuries.
Athletic mouthguards are protective oral appliances that have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of sports-related dental injuries, safeguarding your smile. Our custom mouthguards offer superior fit and comfort, allowing for easier breathing and speaking while providing reliable protection for athletes of all ages.
Night Guards: Teeth grinding and clenching, a condition known as bruxism, can often lead to tooth wear or fracture, sleep disruptions, morning headaches, TMJ pain, and daytime fatigue. It has also been linked to a serious sleep disorder known as sleep apnea.
A custom night guard acts as a protective barrier between your teeth, helping relieve the impacts of bruxism on your smile and your health. Our night guards are durable, comfortable, and designed for long-term protection, helping avoid costly restorative dental treatments, reducing chronic jaw discomfort, and improving your overall quality of life.
Mandibular Advancement Devices: If you snore loudly, wake up feeling tired, or feel sleepy during the day, these could be symptoms of sleep apnea, a condition characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. Left untreated, the serious sleep disorder can elevate the risk of serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, unexplained weight gain, and more. The constant sleep deprivation can lead to daytime fatigue, trouble concentrating, mood disorders, and a higher risk of accidents.
The traditional sleep apnea treatment, known as CPAP therapy, involves breathing pressurized air through a mask as you sleep, which helps keep your airway open. While effective for some patients, many find the CPAP machine noisy and disruptive. A mandibular advancement device helps reposition your jaw to a more favorable position, improving airflow and relieving symptoms of sleep apnea. Patients often find oral appliance therapy more comfortable and convenient, which is why many patients find them easier to use consistently than CPAP machines.
Retainers: After orthodontic treatment, it takes time for your gums, bone, and muscles to adjust to the new positions of your teeth, which is why your teeth may gradually shift back to their original positions. Retainers are custom oral appliances that keep your teeth in place, ensuring the long-term success of treatment. At Alta Family Dental, we create retainers from comfortable materials that offer exceptional comfort while safeguarding your investment in your smile.
What Are the Benefits of Choosing Custom Oral Appliances to Protect Your Smile?
Here is a look at the benefits of custom oral appliances compared to the store-bought varieties:
- They Offer Superior Comfort: Each oral appliance is precision-crafted from digital impressions of your teeth, ensuring a comfortable fit.
- They are Durable: We use high-quality, professional-grade materials that outlast store-bought alternatives and withstand significant pressure.
- They Offer Exceptional Protection: A custom fit provides the most protection, safeguarding your smile and enhancing your health.
- They are Convenient: Our oral appliances are quiet, compact, and easy to travel with, making them a hassle-free alternative to bulky equipment like CPAP machines.
- They are Cost-Effective: Investing in a custom oral appliance can help you avoid the high costs associated with restorative dental work or repeated orthodontic treatment.
Oral Appliance Therapy Near Me in Hickory Creek, TX
If you’d like to learn more about safeguarding your smile with a custom oral appliance, contact Alta Family Dental to schedule a consultation. Dr. Bell will recommend the ideal oral appliance depending on your unique needs. We strive to provide you with exceptional comfort and maximum protection for your smile.
Call our Hickory Creek family practice at 940-344-6070 to schedule your personalized consultation or book an appointment online today!