Oral Appliance Therapy

Sherman, TX

Oral appliance therapy is a solution for those who experience nightly snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The appliance is custom-made, to ensure that each patient gets the best fit and the best in results. The oral appliance can improve sleep and have a positive impact on health as a whole. At HomeTown Dental at Sherman we offer options for OSA that will help you to get the rest you deserve.

How Oral Appliance Therapy Works

The oral appliance is worn at night while you sleep. The custom-made device will fit into your mouth, very much like an orthodontic retainer or a sports mouthguard. There are two options for oral devices. Each will keep your airway from collapsing while you sleep. One provides support for the jaw and the other support for your tongue.

There are several solutions for the treatment of OSA. CPAP therapy remains the most effective choice for treating obstructive sleep apnea, but it is not the right choice for all patients. Oral appliance therapy is helpful for those who have less severe apnea, and for those who can benefit from a small and portable oral appliance solution.

Oral appliances help to improve health conditions and allow air to move freely through your airway to your lungs, so to prevent snoring or other sleeping disruptions. You must be custom fitted for an oral appliance in order for it to be effective. Over-the-counter devices are not recommended as a treatment option for snoring or obstructive sleep apnea.

Types Of Devices Used For Oral Appliance Therapy

The majority of oral appliances fall into two category types. Tongue retaining devices and mandibular repositioning devices. The tongue retaining device comfortably holds your tongue in place so that your airway can be kept open while you are asleep. A mandibular repositioning device will gentle reposition the lower jaw forward and slightly down. This will have the effect of keeping the airway open while you are asleep. The mandibular repositioning oral appliance is the one used most widely amongst those who have obstructive sleep apnea.

Oral Appliance Therapy Benefits

For patients who have mild to moderate OSA, oral appliance therapy can provide many of the very same benefits as seen by the CPAP machine. The treatment of sleep apnea can boost your daytime alertness and your ability to concentrate. There is also the potential for reducing your risks for stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.

Oral appliances offer increased ease of use, as they can be fairly simple to get used to wearing. They are also portable and easy to travel with.

Potential Side-Effects Of Oral Appliance Therapy

There are considerably more benefits than potential side-effects to consider. That said, there some minor side-effects some patients experience. This could include excessive salivation, discomfort in the jaw and teeth, and changes to your bite due to the potential for shifting teeth. These complications can be identified and ultimately managed by our dentist so that they do not worsen or lead to further complications.

If you are struggling with snoring, it may be time for a checkup with our dentist at HomeTown Dental at Sherman. Call (903) 224-7057. to schedule a consultation.