Sleep apnea is common, serious, and treatable. For many people, a custom-made oral device from your dentist is a comfortable way to treat it.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when the muscles of the throat relax during sleep and the tongue and soft tissues narrow or block the airway. Breathing slows or stops for seconds at a time, sometimes hundreds of times a night. Your brain wakes you just enough to restart your breathing, so you rarely remember it.
Each pause in breathing lowers your blood oxygen and strains your body. Over months and years, untreated sleep apnea is linked to serious health problems.
Repeated drops in oxygen and surges of stress hormones keep blood pressure elevated, even during the day.
Sleep apnea is associated with a higher risk of heart attack, irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), heart failure, and stroke.
Broken sleep and low oxygen make it harder for the body to regulate blood sugar.
Sleepiness raises the risk of drowsy driving and workplace accidents.
Poor sleep is linked to depression, anxiety, and problems with focus and memory.
Loud snoring and restless nights often disrupt a partner’s sleep too.
A mandibular advancement device (MAD) is a custom-fitted oral appliance, worn only during sleep. It looks a little like a sports mouthguard and is made from impressions or digital scans of your teeth.
The device holds your lower jaw slightly forward. That gently pulls the tongue and soft tissues away from the back of the throat, keeping the airway more open so air can flow freely.
MADs are most often used for mild to moderate sleep apnea, and for people who cannot tolerate or prefer not to use a CPAP machine. They are quiet, portable, and need no electricity, which makes them easy for travel.
A physician confirms sleep apnea with a sleep study, which can often be done at home.
We take digital scans and make a device for your teeth and bite. You try it on and we adjust the fit.
We move the jaw position forward in small steps over several weeks as you get comfortable.
Regular visits check the fit, your teeth and jaw, and how well it works, often with a repeat sleep test to confirm results.
CPAP is generally the most effective treatment for sleep apnea, especially severe cases. A MAD works well for many people with mild to moderate apnea, and the best device is the one you will actually wear every night. Your physician and dentist can help you decide.
Some people have temporary jaw soreness, extra saliva or dry mouth, or tooth tenderness when they begin. Over time, small changes in the bite can occur, which is why regular follow-up with a dentist trained in this therapy matters.
Over-the-counter devices are not fitted to your mouth or monitored by a professional, and they can be uncomfortable or harm your teeth and jaw. A custom device with dental supervision is safer and more effective.
Often times your medical insurance will cover the device if you have a prescription for it from your sleep doctor.
Schedule a consultation to talk about your symptoms and whether an oral appliance is right for you.
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