Oral Sleep Appliance Therapy

If you have trouble sleeping due to obstructed sleep apnea or snoring, oral appliance therapy can be an effective, non-invasive treatment that easily fits into your lifestyle. Patients like an oral appliance because it is:

• Comfortable

• Easy to wear

• Quiet

• Portable

• Convenient for travel

• Easy to care for

Provided by your dentist, oral appliance therapy involves the selection, design, fitting and use of a specifically designed appliance that when worn during sleep, maintains an opened, unobstructed airway in the throat. The appliances promote adequate air intake by supporting the jaw in a forward position, thus maintaining an open upper airway, allowing normal sleep in people who snore.

If you have trouble tolerating continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or prefer an alternative treatment for sleep apnea, an oral appliance may be for you. These devices are worn in the mouth, similar to sports mouth-guards or orthodontic retainers

More than 100 oral appliances have received FDA clearance and are covered by many medical insurance plans if a sleep study has determined a patient has obstructed sleep apnea. The condition of sleep apnea does increase patients’ risks of other health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression. Also, lack of oxygen and good quality sleep will commonly result in daytime drowsiness and decreased attentiveness.

Sleep Apnea is a common problem among all ages and both genders. It affects approximately 90 million American adults. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has concluded that a custom made oral sleep appliance is a first line of treatment for mild-to-moderate sleep apnea and for use when a patient cannot tolerate CPAP therapy.