Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy is a treatment for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. It involves wearing a removable oral appliance in your mouth as you sleep. The device fits much like a sports mouth guard or orthodontic retainer.
An oral appliance prevents your airway from collapsing by either holding the tongue or supporting the jaw in a forward position. You must be custom fitted for an oral appliance in order for it to be effective. Over-the-counter devices are not recommended as a treatment option for snoring or obstructive sleep apnea.
Members of the sleep team collaborate to provide you with oral appliance therapy. The board certified sleep medicine physician must diagnose obstructive sleep apnea using a sleep study.
If you decide to see a dentist for an oral appliance for Sleep Apnea. These dentists must have special training in treating sleep apnea. The dentist should always be a Diplomate; Board Certified by American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. (ABDSM)
The most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is CPAP therapy. But some patients prefer an oral appliance because it is small, portable and easy to use. Oral appliance therapy is most helpful for people with less severe sleep apnea.
Oral Appliance Therapy - Benefits & Side Effects
For mild to moderate sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy offers many of the same health benefits as CPAP. By treating your sleep apnea, you can reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. You will also improve your daytime alertness, concentration and emotional stability.
The additional benefits of oral appliance therapy include:
Ease of use - Some patients prefer oral appliances because they can be easy to wear. For most patients it takes a few weeks to get used to sleeping with an oral appliance in your mouth.
Small and easy to transport – Traveling with your sleep apnea treatment is easy with an oral appliance therapy. Unlike CPAP, oral appliances are small enough to fit in your purse or carry-on bag.
Possible side effects
Oral appliance therapy may cause frequent but minor side effects. These include:
Oral appliance therapy is a treatment for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. It involves wearing a removable oral appliance in your mouth as you sleep. The device fits much like a sports mouth guard or orthodontic retainer.
An oral appliance prevents your airway from collapsing by either holding the tongue or supporting the jaw in a forward position. You must be custom fitted for an oral appliance in order for it to be effective. Over-the-counter devices are not recommended as a treatment option for snoring or obstructive sleep apnea.
Members of the sleep team collaborate to provide you with oral appliance therapy. The board certified sleep medicine physician must diagnose obstructive sleep apnea using a sleep study.
If you decide to see a dentist for an oral appliance for Sleep Apnea. These dentists must have special training in treating sleep apnea. The dentist should always be a Diplomate; Board Certified by American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. (ABDSM)
The most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is CPAP therapy. But some patients prefer an oral appliance because it is small, portable and easy to use. Oral appliance therapy is most helpful for people with less severe sleep apnea.
Oral Appliance Therapy - Benefits & Side Effects
For mild to moderate sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy offers many of the same health benefits as CPAP. By treating your sleep apnea, you can reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. You will also improve your daytime alertness, concentration and emotional stability.
The additional benefits of oral appliance therapy include:
Ease of use - Some patients prefer oral appliances because they can be easy to wear. For most patients it takes a few weeks to get used to sleeping with an oral appliance in your mouth.
Small and easy to transport – Traveling with your sleep apnea treatment is easy with an oral appliance therapy. Unlike CPAP, oral appliances are small enough to fit in your purse or carry-on bag.
Possible side effects
Oral appliance therapy may cause frequent but minor side effects. These include:
- Excessive salivation
- Dry mouth
- Tooth and jaw discomfort
- Temporary bite changes
- Jaw pain
- Permanent changes to your bite
- TMJ symptoms