Snoring that shakes the room and ruins your loved one's sleep isn't normal. Plus, it could be a sign of sleep apnea and lead to serious health complications. While CPAP machines are most commonly prescribed for treating sleep apnea, most people can't tolerate them. Luckily, a CPAP machine isn't your only option; there's an easy, effective solution for snoring and sleep apnea: Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT). It’s simply an oral device—similar to a mouth guard—that you wear at night to help eliminate sleep apnea and snoring. OAT may be the convenient and easy method you’ve been looking for. No surgery, no hoses, no mask, and no obnoxious noise in the bedroom.
And even better, OAT has higher reported nightly use versus CPAP. In other words, it has better treatment adherence which translates to better health outcomes, like better sleep, less daytime drowsiness, and improved quality of life.
What is oral appliance therapy & how does it work?
Oral appliance therapy is an ultra-simple, non-invasive option to treat sleep apnea and snoring. An oral appliance, also known as a mandibular advancement device or dental appliance, is a small custom-made mouthpiece—much like a mouth guard or an orthodontic appliance – worn while you sleep. The device slightly repositions and stabilizes your lower jaw, tongue, soft palate, and uvula to help keep your airway open at night. The top and bottom parts of the device work together to gently move your lower jaw forward, keeping your tongue from falling back and blocking airflow. Over time, the device is adjusted little by little until we find your “sweet spot” – the point where you’re most comfortable and getting the best results. Oral Appliance Therapy is a very effective alternative to CPAP.
What to expect:
- During your first visit, we’ll examine your nose and throat with a tiny, lighted camera to find the root of your snoring or sleep apnea concerns.
- We may recommend an at-home sleep study, which can be conveniently worn for one night from your own home. The at-home sleep study measures snoring and oxygen levels to help detect sleep apnea.
- You’ll receive an in-office CT scan to further assess the root cause of your snoring or sleep apnea concerns. Your provider will immediately review the results with you and discuss how ADVENT can alleviate any nasal obstructions.
- Your physician will determine the best approach to your treatment plan. If it’s determined blocked sinus passageways are contributing to your sleep concerns, we may recommend a simple, in-office procedure or medical management.
- The Oral Appliance you’ll get from ADVENT is custom-built to match your unique anatomy. The appliance is created using advanced digital technology and precision tools to ensure an accurate fit, lasting comfort, and the most effective results.
While an oral appliance is a temporary treatment option, it prevents the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat and promotes adequate air intake to relieve sleep apnea.
By seeking Oral Appliance Therapy at ADVENT, you are trusting the full process with skilled experts. We treat you from beginning to end – from fit and delivery, to follow-up’s, and finding your “sweet spot” for the most comfortable and effective sleep apnea treatment. We can even work with your insurance or offer flexible payment options to ensure OAT fits within your budget.
