What are Oral Appliances?

Oral appliances are devices worn to help patients with mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) who do not respond well to or are ineligible for other treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Oral appliances fit like orthodontic retainers or mouth guards to prevent the collapse of soft tissue during sleep, which keeps the airways open. Customized oral appliances have been proven to be more effective than over-the-counter solutions.

Oral appliances can take weeks or even months to create; you and our staff need to find out what kind of oral appliance is right for you, test its fit and performance, and how to maximize your results from this treatment. Oral appliances require ongoing care both short-term and long-term. Eley Family Dentistry and your Primary Healthcare Physician may want to monitor your sleep with the oral appliance.

Types of Oral Appliances

Though there are many kinds of oral appliances, they all fall into one of two categories.

The first type of oral appliance is the tongue retaining appliance. One of the main problems with OSA is when the tongue falls back during sleep and obstructs the airways. Tongue retaining appliances use suction to keep the tongue in a forward position while you sleep so your airways remain open.

The second type of oral appliance is the mandibular re-positioning appliance. This gently positions your jaw forward and indirectly keeps your tongue more rigid and maintains a forward position. The jaw is held in a stable position so that your mouth does not open while you sleep.

Call Eley Family Dentistry today to schedule your appointment.

Melbourne Office: (321) 622-8711

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