Answering Questions About Oral Appliances

WE ANSWER YOUR ORAL APPLIANCE QUESTIONS

Oral appliances are used in dental sleep medicine to provide relief from obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. Read on to learn the answers to common questions about oral appliances. 

How do oral appliances work? 

You can think of an oral appliance as something like an orthodontic retainer. However, instead of altering the position of your teeth, an oral appliance keeps your jaw in an ideal position. By holding your lower jaw forward and preventing it from relaxing downward while you sleep, an oral appliance can prevent your airway from becoming obstructed. In turn, this allow you to breathe more easily overnight.  

Can an oral appliance treat my sleep apnea? 

The use of oral appliances is not an effective solution for all cases of obstructive sleep apnea. If your condition is mild to moderate, an oral appliance may prove to be an effective alternative to using CPAP therapy. 

What are the benefits of oral appliances? 

Many individuals find oral appliances to be a comfortable solution for sleep apnea that is easy to use. These devices fit completely inside of the mouth, and are more discreet and tolerable than other treatments. Finally, oral appliances tend to be very economical and are also ideal for people who travel a lot. 

Are there any side effects associated with oral appliances? 

Some patients experience mild face pain or toothaches when they begin using an oral appliance. But these issues typically fade over the course of a couple of weeks. However, if someone experiences lasting pain when they move their mouth or eat, their oral appliance needs to be adjusted. 

At Sleep Dynamics, we offer diagnostic sleep testing, behavioral sleep medicine, and oral appliance therapy serving New Jersey. If you struggle to get a good night’s rest and think you could benefit from using an oral appliance, then please give us a call today at (848) 217-0240.