Sleep apnea is a disorder which affects a person’s breathing when they are asleep. People with untreated sleep apnea, breath erratically while sleeping as the brain and the rest of the body does not get enough oxygen.

Oral appliances for sleep apnea play a significant role in the management of the disorder. These appliances will not heal apnea, but they work non-surgically to realign the jaw/tongue and keep the air passage open. This ensures that the person breathes and gets the sleep they need.

The oral appliances for sleep apnea that heal the disorder and cure snoring are worn in the mouth when you sleep. These are appliances similar to the orthodontic retainers or mouth-guards. The oral appliances have a lot of advantages over other forms of therapy. Oral appliances are easy to wear, comfortable, small, and convenient to carry and care for when you are traveling.

Here is a list of oral appliances for sleep apnea.

Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD)
Mandibular advancement devices are the most common form of sleep apnea appliances available. These are known as dental sleep appliances. The mandibular advancement devices help in opening the air passage by moving the lower jaw forward. Our tongue is attached to the lower jaw just behind the chin, and thus when you move the jaw forward, the collapsible air passage remains open. This appliance helps in improving the strength and tenacity of the air passage.

Tongue Retaining Devices (TRD)
The tongue retaining devices are also like MADs and help the patient by holding the tongue in a forward position. These forms of appliances pull the tongue forward and do not move the lower jaw. Tongue retaining devices directly control the tongue and are less complicated to handle. This form of oral appliances for sleep apnea is less complicated and a lot more comfortable for patients. The only disadvantage is that it takes weeks to get adjusted to this device.

Combination CPAP/Dental Sleep Device Therapy
CPAP therapy is the best and one of the most advised therapy for patients with sleep apnea. It is known as the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy. Patients who have high pressure go for this. The dentist and sleep physician have to work together to make a combination sleep device for the patient to wear with the CPAP therapy. These custom oral appliances for sleep apnea are attached to the CPAP machine. You can also use the combination therapy at a lower pressure setting.

Boil and bite appliances
This form of oral appliances for sleep apnea is a soft, thermoplastic material molded like the patient’s teeth by a dentist. This appliance engages the lower jaw at the incisors and uses fewer teeth to force the advancement. Other advantages are fewer appointments and low cost. But the disadvantage could be that the device can apply a lot of pressure on the lower incisors. It is not durable like a proper laboratory fitted appliance and cannot be a solution for the long term.

Laboratory-fabricated appliances
The laboratory fabricated devices use the help of a dentist to take the jaw and mouth impressions. After taking them, the models of teeth and gums are created. It is utilized by the laboratory to make an appliance just for your mouth. The appliance is comfortable and expensive. However, it is worth every penny.

Treat sleep apnea effectively
Oral appliances for sleep apnea prevent the air passage from collapsing by either supporting the jaw or tongue in a proper position. You need a custom fitted oral appliance if you want it to be perfect and effective. Over the counter, appliances are usually not recommended for sleep apnea.

A dentist specializing in sleep medicine will help you fit your oral appliance. These dentists receive special training in sleep medicine. CPAP therapy is suggested most often and is the best treatment for sleep apnea. However, many patients prefer an oral appliance as it is portable and comfortable. Oral appliances work best in less severe cases. Research in this field reveals that the oral appliances are effective in 90% of the snoring cases and 70% of moderate sleep apnea cases.

Oral appliances for sleep apnea should be worn every night. If you discontinue the use the appliances, then the symptoms are bound to return. One cannot guarantee the success of the appliance for all patients. It’s due to the anatomic and physiologic differences from person to person.

Oral appliances for sleep apnea help in repositioning, stabilizing, and toning the jaw/tongue. The oral appliance therapy takes weeks or even months to complete. After the initial phase of treatment, you must continue with the follow-up visits to evaluate the response of the appliance. Oral appliances for sleep apnea can be used individually or along with other therapies.