Article · 2 min read
Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea
Oral appliances can treat mild to moderate sleep apnea without a CPAP machine. Learn how they work and who benefits most.
General information, not medical advice. Read our disclaimer.
SLEEP APNEA · ORAL APPLIANCE
Oral appliances at a glance
- 50% or moreAHI drop in most patients
- Works best for mild to moderate sleep apnea, less for severe.
- An option if you can't tolerate CPAP and have moderate OSA.
- Also helps people who snore without much apnea.
- Portable and easy to travel with.
Oral appliance therapy (OAT) treats obstructive sleep apnea without a CPAP machine. You wear a custom-fitted dental device during sleep. It moves your lower jaw and tongue forward, which opens your airway and keeps it from closing.
How do oral appliances work?
The most common type is a mandibular advancement device (MAD). It looks like a sports mouthguard and fits over your upper and lower teeth.
The device holds your lower jaw slightly forward. This tightens the soft tissue and muscles of your upper airway, so the airway does not get blocked.
Who benefits most?
- Mild to moderate sleep apnea — People with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
- Snoring — People who snore but don't have significant apnea.
- Trouble with CPAP — People with moderate OSA who can't use CPAP comfortably.
- Frequent travel — People who travel often and want a portable option. The device is easy to travel with.
How do you get fitted?
- Referral — You'll need a referral to a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine.
- Impressions — The dentist takes molds (impressions) of your teeth and makes a custom device.
- Adjustments — Several adjustment visits fine-tune the jaw position for the best results.
- Follow-up sleep study — A second sleep study confirms the device is working.
SLEEP APNEA · ORAL APPLIANCE
How an oral appliance works
Jaw moves forward
The device holds your lower jaw slightly forward.
Tissue tightens
Soft tissue and muscles of your upper airway tighten.
Airway stays open
Your airway does not collapse while you sleep.
Key point
SLEEP APNEA · ORAL APPLIANCE
Getting fitted
- 1
Get a referral
You see a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine.
- 2
Teeth impressions
The dentist takes impressions to make a custom device.
- 3
Adjustment visits
Several visits fine-tune your jaw position for best results.
- 4
Follow-up sleep study
A sleep study confirms the device is working.
Key point
Common questions
How well do oral appliances work for sleep apnea?
Are oral appliances comfortable?
Trusted medical sources
This page follows guidance and research from leading medical organizations.
Further reading
- AASMObstructive Sleep Apnea
- NHLBISleep Apnea Information
- Mayo ClinicOSA Overview
- NIHSleep Apnea
- AASMObstructive Sleep Apnea
- NHLBISleep Apnea Treatment
Part of our sleep apnea management service.