If you are struggling with snoring or obstructive sleep apnea, wearing a custom dental device may be your best option for peaceful sleep.

Oral appliances that treat snoring and apnea are small custom dental devices worn in the mouth similar to custom sports guards or orthodontic retainers.

These devices are professionally fitted by dentists educated in sleep disorders and dental sleep medicine.

Custom oral sleep appliances may also be called :

  • Mandibular advancement device
  • Mandibular repositioning device
  • Mandibular advancement splint, and more…

The following individuals are often the best candidates for oral appliance therapy:

  • Patients that snore but have no apnea (verified through testing or medical consultation)
  • Patients at all levels of obstructive sleep apnea that have attempted CPAP therapy unsuccessfully
  • Any obstructive sleep apnea patient that prefers to seek out oral appliance therapy as an alternative to CPAP therapy

Oral sleep appliances or mandibular repositioning devices(MRD’s) work by repositioning and stabilizing the jaw in a forward position. This mechanism can prevent muscles and tissues from collapsing back into the airway that causes the airway obstruction, as in snoring and apnea.

Most individuals find oral appliances far more comfortable and less cumbersome than CPAP therapy, a common treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea.

When successful, oral appliances vastly improve the quality of life of snoring and apnea patients and improve relationships. Positive results include:

  • No or reduced snoring
  • Absence or improvement of the number of apnea events
  • Improved sleep quality and fewer awakenings
  • Improvement in chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure