Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea
A COMFORTABLE, CUSTOM TREATMENT OPTION
A Different Approach to Treating Sleep Apnea
Oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for many adults with obstructive sleep apnea. A custom-fitted oral appliance is worn during sleep to gently position the lower jaw forward, helping maintain an open airway and reduce breathing interruptions.
At Monticello Sleep Dentistry, Dr. Dejti provides oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea as part of a coordinated approach to care. Treatment is planned around your diagnosis, individual anatomy, treatment goals, and recommendations from your medical provider.
How Does Oral Appliance Therapy Work?
Oral appliance therapy uses a custom-made dental device that is worn while you sleep. The appliance gently holds the lower jaw in a forward position, which helps reduce the tendency of the tongue and surrounding soft tissues from narrowing or blocking the airway.
By helping maintain an open airway during sleep, oral appliance therapy can reduce obstructive breathing events, snoring, and other symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea.
Who Is a Candidate for Oral Appliance Therapy?
Oral appliance therapy may be an appropriate treatment for adults with obstructive sleep apnea who prefer an alternative to CPAP or have difficulty using CPAP consistently. It may also be considered when a patient and their medical provider determine that oral appliance therapy is an appropriate treatment option.
Before treatment, Dr. Dejti performs a comprehensive dental evaluation to assess your teeth, gums, jaw joints, bite, and other factors that may affect oral appliance therapy. Your sleep apnea diagnosis and sleep study are also reviewed as part of treatment planning.
Oral appliance therapy may be considered for patients who:
✓ Have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea
✓ Cannot tolerate or consistently use CPAP
✓ Prefer an oral appliance when medically appropriate
✓ Have adequate dental health to support an appliance
✓ Want a small, portable treatment option
✓ May benefit from oral appliance therapy as part of combination treatment
Oral Appliance Therapy vs CPAP
CPAP and oral appliance therapy both treat obstructive sleep apnea, but they work in different ways. CPAP uses pressurized air delivered through a mask to help keep the airway open during sleep. Oral appliance therapy uses a custom-fitted dental device to position the lower jaw forward and help maintain an open airway.
CPAP is highly effective when used consistently and remains an important treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. However, some patients have difficulty tolerating the mask, pressure, noise, or other aspects of CPAP therapy. For appropriate patients, oral appliance therapy may provide another effective treatment option.
The best treatment is the one that appropriately treats your sleep apnea and that you can use consistently. Treatment decisions should consider the severity of your sleep apnea, medical history, anatomy, personal preferences, and response to therapy.
CPAP Therapy
Treatment Method
Pressurized air delivered through a mask to keep the airway open
Equipment
CPAP machine, mask and tubing
Effectiveness
Highly effective at treating OSA when used consistently
Considerations
Some patients have difficulty tolerating the mask, air pressure, or using CPAP consistently
Care Coordination
Treatment is managed by your medical provider and/or your sleep apnea team
Oral Appliance Therapy
Treatment Method
Custom-fitted oral appliance that positions the lower jaw forward
Equipment
Small, portable dental appliance
Effectiveness
Effectiveness varies according to individual treatment response
Considerations
May be an option when CPAP is not tolerated or when an alternative is medically appropriate
Care Coordination
Appliance therapy is managed by a qualified dentist in coordination with your medical provider
Not All Oral Appliances Are the Same
An oral appliance used to treat obstructive sleep apnea is different from a nightguard, sports mouthguard, or over-the-counter device. Sleep apnea appliances are specifically designed to position the lower jaw forward to help maintain an open airway during sleep.
At Monticello Sleep Dentistry, oral appliance therapy involves more than simply providing a device. Treatment includes a comprehensive dental evaluation, selection of an appropriate appliance, custom fabrication, careful adjustment, and follow-up to evaluate comfort and treatment response.
Learn more about oral appliance therapy from the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.
Custom and Adjustable
A custom oral appliance is made specifically to fit your teeth, bite, and oral anatomy. The appliance is also titratable, meaning the lower-jaw position can be adjusted gradually to balance treatment effectiveness with comfort.
Designed for Sleep Apnea Treatment
The appliances used for oral appliance therapy are designed specifically to manage obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. Their purpose is to help support the airway—not simply protect the teeth.
Treatment Requires Follow-Up
Finding the appropriate jaw position often requires adjustment over time. Follow-up visits allow Dr. Dejti to evaluate comfort, fit, bite changes, and treatment progress as the appliance is advanced.
What to Expect with Oral Appliance Therapy
Successful oral appliance therapy involves several steps, from determining whether treatment is appropriate to confirming that the appliance is effectively treating your sleep apnea. At Monticello Sleep Dentistry, we coordinate your dental treatment with your medical providers to help ensure continuity of care throughout the process.
01
Doctor Consultation
Your sleep apnea diagnosis, sleep study, medical history, previous treatment experiences, and treatment goals are reviewed to determine whether oral appliance therapy may be appropriate.
04
CUSTOM FABRICAtion
Digital records are sent to a laboratory and used to create a custom, titratable oral appliance designed specifically for your needs. Once completed, the appliance is carefully evaluated for fit and comfort before treatment begins.
02
CLINICAL EVALUATION
Dr. Dejti evaluates your teeth, gums, bite, jaw joints, and oral anatomy to identify any dental concerns and determine whether you are a suitable candidate for oral appliance therapy.
05
APPLIANCE TITRATION
The appliance is adjusted gradually to find a jaw position that balances treatment effectiveness with comfort. Follow-up visits allow Dr. Dejti to evaluate your response and make adjustments as needed.
03
MEDICAL COORDINATION
When appropriate, we communicate with your sleep physician or other medical provider to coordinate oral appliance therapy as part of your overall sleep apnea treatment.
06
effectivness Testing
Follow-up sleep testing helps determine how effectively your oral appliance is treating your sleep apnea. Results are reviewed with your medical provider to confirm treatment effectiveness and guide any additional adjustments.
A Coordinated Approach to Oral Appliance Therapy
CLINICAL PARTNERS IN SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT
Treating obstructive sleep apnea often involves collaboration between dental and medical providers. At Monticello Sleep Dentistry, we focus on the dental aspects of oral appliance therapy while working in coordination with your sleep physician or other medical provider.
Your medical provider is responsible for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and helps determine the appropriate treatment approach. We provide the clinical evaluation, custom oral appliance, titration, and ongoing dental management needed for oral appliance therapy.
Follow-up sleep testing can then help determine how effectively the appliance is treating your sleep apnea, with results shared among your healthcare providers as appropriate.
Could Oral Appliance Therapy Be Right for You?
Every patient is different. A clinical evaluation can help determine whether oral appliance therapy is appropriate for your dental health, oral anatomy, treatment needs, and sleep apnea care plan.
If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and would like to learn whether an oral appliance may be an option, contact Monticello Sleep Dentistry to request a consultation.