Oral appliance therapy is a treatment for snoring or mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and is an appliance worn in your mouth during the night that can help prevent your airway from collapsing. This appliance acts on your jaw or tongue to stabilize it or push it forward, increasing the space at the back of your throat where the obstruction occurs.
Who would benefit from it?
People who experience mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or snoring. It is also recommended for people unable or unwilling to use positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy.
What are the options?
Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD)
This is an appliance that is molded for your teeth that pushes the jawbone and tongue forward and away from the back of your throat, creating additional space in your throat and opening your airways.
Tongue Stabilizer Device (TSD)
This appliance gently holds the tongue in place to prevent it from sliding back and blocking the airway during sleep. It is attached to the tongue using mild suction and held in place by the teeth and lips. A TSD will not work well if you have a blockage in your nasal passageway as this typically requires breathing through your nose.
Oral appliance therapy may not be for everyone experiencing snoring or who have OSA. Treatment options for sleep disorders should be discussed with a healthcare professional. A follow-up sleep study is recommended to evaluate the efficacy of treatment.