What is Oral Appliance Therapy?

Oral appliance therapy is a sleep apnea treatment that doesn’t require the use of a machine, mask, distilled water, or electricity. An oral appliance is a device you wear in your mouth while sleeping. Some view it as similar to a mouthpiece or mouth guard, but in reality, it’s a different orthotic entirely because of how it works. Most oral appliances work by repositioning the lower jaw, thereby opening the airway. We custom-fit every appliance to each patient to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness. Regular, objective monitoring ensures the treatment is working as designed so you can have confidence that your sleep and your health are being protected.

This sleep apnea treatment is only available through a sleep dentist. Be wary of any you see online or in a pharmacy. These one-size-fits-all type mouthguards don’t reposition your jaw and won’t help with sleep apnea. Even if they claim to be a sleep apnea treatment, beware. An improperly fitted sleep apnea mouthpiece or mouthguard can cause temporomandibular joint disorder, an extremely painful disorder where your jaw is misaligned. Patients feel pain in their jaw joints that can travel throughout the rest of their bodies.

If you need an oral appliance to treat sleep apnea, call (402) 493-4175 or make an appointment online. Our Omaha sleep dentist can get you properly fitted with an oral appliance that’ll let you get the sleep you need.

Types of Oral Appliances

Sleep apnea dental devices come in two main types: fixed and adjustable. Here’s an overview of some frequently utilized sleep apnea appliances:

SomnoMed is an effective sleep apnea device for those who have a large jaw arch. SomnoMed – SomnoMed is a very effective sleep apnea device for those who have a large jaw arch. The SomnoMed is made to be durable and the materials used are able to withstand the pressure that is produced when the jaw is clenched at night. It is used to treat both snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

The TAP 3 is designed in order to hold the jaw in a forward position so that the soft tissues, including the tongue, don’t obstruct the throat.TAP 3 – The TAP 3 is designed in order to hold the jaw in a forward position so that the soft tissues, including the tongue, don’t obstruct the throat. It is usually prescribed to treat both sleep apnea and snoring.

Also called the Tongue Retentive Device (TRD) and the very similar Tongue Stabilization Device (TSD), is an oral appliance that is great for those sleep apneics who also suffer from TMD.TRD – Also called the Tongue Retentive Device (TRD) and the very similar Tongue Stabilization Device (TSD), is an oral appliance that is great for those sleep apneics who also suffer from TMD. The TRD holds the tongue in a forward position using a suction bulb so that it doesn’t roll into the back of the throat and cause a blockage within the airway. This device is best suited for those with bigger tongues. However, it is not a well-preferred alternative because the sensation of having your tongue sucked out of your mouth is too unnatural for some.

Adjustable Herbst – The Adjustable Herbst sleep apnea device is often awarded for its durability and non-bulky design. It is used to increase the anterior, posterior, and vertical position of the jaw. It’s very useful for those patients who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea due to their soft palate collapsing.

TAP-PAP – The TAP PAP combination of the CPAP machine and the oral appliance provides a steady flow of air/oxygen while in use via the CPAP machine, but the nasal pillow mask is held in place by the oral appliance. This translates to virtually no mask leaks, the ability to move around (not confined to back-sleeping) without leaks, more comfort to the patient because the head and facial straps are eliminated, and usually lower CPAP pressure.

ProSomnus Sleep Technologies – ProSomnus designs, manufactures, and markets FDA Cleared Class II Medical Devices dentists use to treat patients diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. ProSomnus Medical Devices are the first, precision Oral Appliance Therapy devices designed to enhance compliance, mitigate side effects, and enable dentists to achieve excellent patient experiences and outcomes. They have been used to treat thousands of patients, designed to be smaller profile, comfortable, hygienic, and easy to use.

Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy

Oral appliance therapy offers many benefits.

  • Can be used in conjunction with CPAP
  • Manages bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching)
  • You can sleep in any position
  • You can use it anywhere – even without electricity
  • It’s easy to travel with
  • It’s quiet

Let An Oral Appliance Set You Free!

If you live in the Omaha area or can travel to our Omaha office, and you hate your CPAP, are looking for an easy way to treat your sleep apnea, or want to stop snoring, please contact our office to schedule an appointment. Call now at (402) 493-4175