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How Do Oral Appliances Work for Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

These devices can lessen symptoms for some people with mild or moderate OSA. Custom-made MADs tend to be more effective than other types of dental appliances. They can lessen snoring and lower your apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Your AHI is used to rate how severe your OSA is.4 Compared to CPAP machines, dental appliances are not as useful in treating OSA. However, if you cannot use a CPAP machine, using a dental appliance may be a good option.2 Oral appliances do have some advantages. They are small, easy to travel with, and do not need electricity like CPAP machines do.1

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 Dental appliances for sleep apnea: Do they work?

"These devices are supposed to reposition your jaw or tongue to open your upper airway. But they can be really uncomfortable and only work about half the time," Dr. Javaheri says. It's hard to predict who might benefit from using an oral device, and people with very mild OSA and few symptoms may not notice any difference. As a result, she generally doesn't recommend them except for people with mild to moderate OSA or those with severe OSA who can't tolerate PAP.

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For Sleep Apnea, a Mouth Guard May Be a Good Alternative to CPAP

People with sleep apnea who can’t tolerate the noise and discomfort of a CPAP machine might benefit from a mouth guard or surgery.

An Effective Alternative to CPAP for Sleep Apnea

What's most important is finding the right treatment and sticking with it. Sleep apnea is a serious health condition. Fortunately, treatments used correctly -- whether CPAP or oral appliance -- can significantly improve your sleep and your general health.

Dr. Mangelson on the Best Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea

The mandibular advancement device works by moving the lower jaw slightly forward. This action prevents the airway from closing and helps reduce snoring. Some MADs are adjustable, allowing for precise positioning to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness. The Tongue Stabilizing Device, on the other hand, works by holding the tongue forward, preventing it from blocking the airway. This is especially helpful for patients whose sleep apnea is caused by tongue obstruction.

Oral Appliance Therapy

Treating your snoring or obstructive sleep apnea can make you feel like a new person. You will find that your quality of life can improve dramatically when you remain committed to your treatment and use it nightly. OAT can help you sleep better, have more energy, and feel sharper throughout the day. You may find that your bed partner begins to sleep better, too!

Oral Appliances for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Oral appliances for OSA fall into two broad categories: mandibular advancement splints (MAS), also known as mandibular repositioning devices, and tongue repositioning or retaining devices. The aim of MAS devices is to advance the mandible forward slightly to enlarge the upper airway and prevent it from collapsing. Similarly, tongue repositioning devices suction the tongue forward to prevent it from falling back and obstructing the airway during sleep.

Oral Appliances for Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Treatment with positive airway pressure (PAP) is considered first-line therapy, due to an efficacy rate of approximately 95%, yet long-term compliance with PAP is less than 40%. The efficacy of a sleep oral appliance is lower than PAP, yet it may have similar effectiveness. A sleep oral appliance is a reasonable second-line therapy for patients who refuse or fail PAP and may be reasonable first-line therapy.

The gaining popularity of oral appliances

Since their first use in the early 1980s, oral appliances have become an increasingly popular treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Sought after because of their relative ease of use and portability, oral appliances have proved efficacious in cases of mild to moderate OSA. More recent research suggests that oral appliances can also improve important outcomes in selected patients with more severe disease. Newer innovations in oral appliance therapy include compliance recorders to help in long-term follow-up and emerging technologies to remotely adjust the appliance to optimize upper airway patency.

Treatments Compared: Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard vs CPAP Machine

Many people are turning to over-the-counter (OTC) oral devices for sleep apnea because they cost less and seem to be more convenient than CPAP machines or custom-fitted oral appliances from a dentist. OTC devices are easy to purchase without a prescription and offer a seemingly simple, non-invasive solution. Additionally, some individuals may be looking for alternatives to CPAP due to the discomfort or inconvenience associated with wearing a mask at night, leading them to explore OTC options. But are they effective? Are they safe? Do they have side effects? These are all very good questions that unfortunately often don’t have clear answers.

Trying to Hack Your Sleep? Try An Airway Dentist.

You have the Oura ring, the smart blackout masks, and the mattress that cools to the perfect temperature to facilitate REM. You’ve tried sleepy-time teas, the legs-up-the-wall pose, and impeccable sleep hygiene—but you’re still waking up tired. Here’s the thing: Poor sleep is far more than feeling tired the next day—it disrupts every major system in the body. “It throws off hormone balance, raises inflammation, and stresses the heart. For women, it can worsen anxiety, affect fertility, and even accelerate signs of aging,” says Radhika Kapoor, a board-certified pediatric dentist. Studies show that chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression, with women often experiencing more severe consequences due to hormonal fluctuations...