Bakersfield Sleep Apnea Solutions - Snoring Relief - CPAP Machines & Oral Appliances

Patients suffering from mild to moderate sleep apnea can’t always tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. Southwest Family Dentistry offers these patients an alternative treatment through the use of TAP® 3 devices, which are designed to open airways as you sleep. Dr. Anthony Ching specializes in the application of these devices to ensure our Bakersfield patients the utmost comfort when sleeping.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

It is essential to understand why sleep apnea is dangerous for your short and long term health, to know why it is so necessary to treat it. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the relaxation of the tissue in your airway which inhibits your ability to breath. Along with noisy snoring caused by this airway, patients who suffer from sleep apnea are also at an increased risk for:

-Headache
-Insomnia
-Heart Disease
-Stroke
-Arrhythmia

TAP® 3 Devices

We work with your physician to determine the best course of action to relieve sleep apnea and its overall effects.

In an effort to treat mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea, Dr. Ching offers the relief provided by Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP®) appliances. Like traditional night-guards intended to prevent the grinding or clenching of teeth, this oral appliance is made with each specific patient’s needs in mind, allowing our sleep apnea dentist practice to deliver a quality night’s sleep. 

Patients prescribed the TAP® 3 will wear it every night, and whenever they sleep. Its unique shape will not only prove an easy fit, but influences the resting shape and orientation of your jaw, allowing for open airways through which to breathe comfortably.

Candidates for TAP® 3

Patients able to use the TAP® 3 will need to have healthy teeth and cannot have dentures. The device relies on the position of your teeth at night to open your airway; the lack of teeth presented by the removal of your denture during sleep will not provide the necessary support.

Patients with severe OSA, and some with moderate cases, may not find complete relief in TAP® 3 only, and may be better served by a CPAP machine used in combination with oral appliance therapy. CPAP alone would also be necessary in the case of central sleep apnea, as it stimulates the necessary breathing motion.

Treat Your OSA Today

If you suffer from sleep apnea or have questions about the TAP® 3 device, call or contact our Bakersfield practice today. Dr. Ching and his team at Southwest Family Dentistry are proud to offer innovative solutions for sleep apnea treatments.