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An oral appliance is a custom-fitted dental device worn while you sleep.
The appliance gently positions the lower jaw and/or tongue forward to help maintain an open upper airway during sleep.
Unlike CPAP, an oral appliance doesn’t require a mask, tubing, or pressurized air.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine recommend considering oral appliance therapy for adults with OSA who are unable to tolerate CPAP or who prefer an alternative treatment. Custom, titratable appliances provided by qualified dentists are preferred over non-custom devices.
Oral appliance therapy may be particularly attractive for patients who:
Not everyone is a candidate. Your sleep physician will evaluate your sleep study, anatomy, severity of OSA, dental health, and other factors before recommending treatment.
We don’t recommend generic “boil-and-bite” devices as a substitute for medical evaluation and professionally managed treatment.
A properly fitted oral appliance should be:
Oral appliances can improve sleep-disordered breathing and daytime sleepiness, although CPAP generally produces greater reductions in AHI and improvements in oxygenation.
| CPAP Therapy | Oral Appliance Therapy |
|---|---|
Generally more effective at reducing AHI | Smaller and more portable |
Particularly effective for moderate-to-severe OSA | No mask or tubing |
Provides objective nightly treatment data | May be easier for some patients to use |
Requires a mask and tubing | Can be an excellent alternative for appropriately selected patients |
The right treatment depends on the individual. Your sleep physician can help determine which approach is appropriate based on your diagnosis, sleep study, severity of sleep apnea, health history, and treatment needs.
For some patients, yes. Oral appliance therapy may be an alternative for adults with obstructive sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP or prefer an alternative treatment. Your sleep physician can determine whether it is appropriate for you.
Oral appliance therapy may be considered for appropriately selected patients with obstructive sleep apnea, including some patients who have difficulty tolerating CPAP or prefer an alternative treatment. Your sleep physician will evaluate your sleep study, severity of OSA, anatomy, dental health, and other factors before recommending treatment.
An oral appliance is a custom-fitted dental device worn during sleep. It is designed to reposition the lower jaw to help support the upper airway and reduce airway obstruction during sleep.
Treatment typically begins with a sleep evaluation and treatment planning. If an oral appliance is appropriate, a qualified dental provider evaluates your dental health and fits a custom appliance. The appliance may then be adjusted over time, with follow-up used to evaluate treatment effectiveness and fit.
Adjustment time varies. Your dental sleep provider can help make appropriate adjustments as you become accustomed to wearing the appliance.
Yes. Follow-up is an important part of treatment. Your provider may evaluate the appliance's fit, your comfort, symptoms, and treatment response. Follow-up sleep testing may also be recommended when appropriate.
One advantage is its compact size. An oral appliance does not require a CPAP machine, hose, or electrical outlet, which can make it convenient for travel.
You may have another option.
Schedule a consultation with Dallas Sleep Health to determine whether oral appliance therapy could be an appropriate treatment for your sleep apnea.
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