Oral Appliance Treatment for Sleep Apnea
What is Oral Appliance Therapy?
The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) defines an oral appliance* as, a small, custom-fit device that’s only worn while you sleep and helps you breathe freely by keeping your lower jaw in place to prevent the tongue and other soft tissues from obstructing the airway. Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is a popular alternative to traditional OSA treatments like CPAP and offers patients with a treatment option that’s small, quiet, comfortable and portable.
*Oral Appliances require a prescription from a Sleep Physician or healthcare professional.
Oral Appliances
SomnoMed Avant
Panthera Dental Classic
Panthera Dental X3
How Oral Appliances Work
Oral Appliances may vary in materials and manufacturing process but generally focus on positioning your lower jaw to open your airway while you sleep. Oral Appliances are like mouthguards in the sense that they are customized to fit over your teeth. We’ll discuss your treatment options, digitally scan your teeth and your Oral Appliance will be ready in a few weeks. But OAT isn’t for everyone. To see if you are a candidate for Oral Appliance Therapy, we will consider:
The results of your Sleep Study
General oral health
Overall health
Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy
Quiet &
Easy to Wear
Portable & Easy to Maintain
Comfortable & Convenient
How to get an Oral Appilance
-
1. Free Consultation
Start with a free screening and consultation with Dr. Cuartas to determine your risk factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
-
2. Home Sleep Test (HST)
If you are at moderate to high risk for OSA we will work with your physician and arrange a one night at-home sleep study which you get directly from us in our office.
-
3. Diagnosis
Once returned to us, we have the results evaluated by a certified sleep physician who will provide a diagnosis.
-
4. Treatment Planning
A consultation with Dr. Cuartas is scheduled to review, in detail, the results from the sleep study. All treatment options ranging from lifestyle changes, Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT), Positive Airway Pressure (APAP), to surgery will be discussed if diagnosed with OSA.
-
5. Oral Appliance Treatment
Qualified patients for OAT complete a full digital oral scanning and receive a custom device in a few weeks. A follow-up Home Sleep Test to help confirm treatment efficacy.
