Oral Appliances
Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea in Adults
Oral appliances hold your tongue in place so that your airway stays open while you sleep. Oral appliances are placed into your mouth at night before you go to bed, and worn for the entire time you are sleeping, and taken out when you are awake.
- How do oral appliances work?
Oral appliances work by pushing or pulling your lower jaw forward. By doing this, your tongue is kept in a position that does not block your airway. This reduces the risk of snoring or that your tongue may obstruct your airway during sleep. If this device is helping you, the sound of snoring should be gone entirely or lessened. - How effective are oral appliances?
As with all treatments, not everyone gets the same benefit from oral appliances. For some, the OSA and snoring go away completely, while for other people, other forms of treatment are needed. Oral appliances are more likely to work if you have mild or moderate sleep apnea. Most recent evidence supports the use of oral appliance for people with severe sleep apnea as well. If your sleep apnea gets better when you lie on your side (compared to sleeping on your back) and if you are not overweight, you are also more likely to benefit from this appliance. If you have central sleep apnea (a less common condition than OSA), then oral appliances are unlikely to be helpful. Until you have been properly fitted for an oral appliance and tried it, no one can know how well it will work for you. - How well do oral appliances work compared to CPAP?
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is a reliable treatment for sleep apnea. Immediate results are typically seen with CPAP regardless of how bad the sleep apnea is. An oral appliance will usually improve your sleep apnea, but may not completely control it. If you have moderate or severe OSA, CPAP is more likely to work to correct your sleep apnea than an oral appliance. However, an oral appliance may be a better option than no treatment at all if you cannot tolerate CPAP. Oral appliances are also not the main therapy if you have significant heart disease or are very sleepy during the day. In these cases, CPAP is the best treatment. A sleep specialist can provide guidance regarding the most appropriate therapy for you. - Are there any side effects from using oral appliances?
If fitted well, the oral appliance should be comfortable during the night. However, because it acts to push your jaw forward, it may cause discomfort when first using the appliance. This discomfort tends to improve as you use it more. If discomfort happens, it is usually in the joint at the back of your jaw, just in front of the ear (the temporomandibular joint). This discomfort should go away when you take the appliance out in the morning. Also, oral appliances may cause increased saliva in your mouth, or make your teeth feel tender. These symptoms usually settle down quickly the more you use the device. Over time, there may be tooth movement, changes in your bite, or problems with the joint and muscles of your jaw. It is important to have regular follow-up visits with the dentist to detect and manage problems early. - How can I get an oral appliance?
We can refer you to a sleep specialist in order to find out how bad your sleep apnea is. This evaluation usually requires an overnight sleep study and a separate follow-up appointment with your sleep specialist to talk about the results and discuss possible treatment options. If you decide to try an oral appliance, your sleep specialist will refer you to us for treatment of OSA.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. What are oral appliances for sleep apnea offered at Deakin Dental in Mildura?
At Deakin Dental in Mildura, we offer custom-fitted oral appliances that help manage sleep apnea by gently holding your tongue in a position that keeps your airway open while you sleep. These devices are worn nightly and removed upon waking, providing a potential alternative to other sleep apnea treatments for Mildura residents.
02. How do oral appliances from Deakin Dental in Mildura work to treat sleep apnea and snoring?
Oral appliances prescribed by Deakin Dental in Mildura typically work by gently pushing or pulling your lower jaw forward. This action helps to prevent your tongue from falling back and obstructing your airway during sleep, reducing or eliminating snoring and improving breathing for individuals in Mildura with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
03. How effective are oral appliances for treating sleep apnea, and who in Mildura might benefit most from them at Deakin Dental?
The effectiveness of oral appliances can vary. They are often most beneficial for Mildura residents with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Recent evidence also supports their use for some individuals with severe sleep apnea. You may also experience better results if your sleep apnea improves when you sleep on your side and if you are not overweight. A sleep study, which we can help facilitate a referral for in Mildura, is crucial to determine the best treatment.
04. Are there any side effects associated with using oral appliances from Deakin Dental in Mildura?
While generally well-tolerated, some Mildura residents may experience initial discomfort, such as jaw joint pain, increased saliva, or temporary tooth tenderness when first using an oral appliance. These side effects usually subside with continued use. Long-term use may potentially lead to tooth movement or bite changes, which is why regular follow-up appointments with our dentists in Mildura are essential to monitor and manage any issues.
05. How can a Mildura resident get an oral appliance for sleep apnea through Deakin Dental?
If you suspect you have sleep apnea and are interested in an oral appliance, we can refer you to a sleep specialist in the Mildura area for a proper diagnosis through an overnight sleep study. Following the specialist’s evaluation and recommendation, they can refer you back to Deakin Dental in Mildura for the custom fitting and provision of an oral appliance to help manage your obstructive sleep apnea.
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