Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliances, or mouthpieces, for sleep apnea and snoring are custom fit by dentists with special expertise and training. They fit in the mouth, similar to a retainer or mouth guard, by opening the airway and moving the lower jaw and tongue forward while you sleep. They are small, comfortable and effective.
Sleep apnea often responds positively to oral appliance therapy! We’ve had great results in helping patients who cannot tolerate a CPAP or choose not to use a CPAP to manage their sleep disorder. It’s effective because it prevents the conditions of airway blockage by holding the tongue or jaw in a forward position, keeping the soft tissues at the back of the throat out of the vicinity of the airway. Snoring is often the result of a blocked airway. The appliance feels similar to a mouthguard and is quite comfortable, which is why many patients prefer this treatment method over a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) mask that forces air into the airway to keep it open.
If you are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, call our office to schedule an evaluation. We can offer you an effective treatment to eliminate your symptoms and reduce the health risks that have been linked to sleep apnea.
- No noise from machines or in-mask breathing
- Easy to clean
- Small and portable
- Convenient for travel
- No electricity required
- Comfortable and easy to use
- Reduce or prevent bruxism (grinding)
- No hoses to get tangled in during sleep
- No mask to cause skin irritations
- No feelings of claustrophobia
Comparing And Contrasting CPAP And Oral Appliance Therapy
CPAP and Oral appliance therapy differ in significant ways. The CPAP mask forces air into the airway in order to keep it open. An oral appliance adjusts the positioning of the jaw or tongue to reduce the likelihood of an airway obstruction during sleep. The CPAP covers a sizeable portion of the patient’s face and can make them feel uncomfortable or even claustrophobic, while an oral appliance is worn inside of the patient’s mouth and is much more tolerable. The CPAP device is also inconvenient for travel, while an oral appliance can be easily stowed into a patient’s luggage.
