Oral Sleep Appliances

Oral appliances are custom-made devices that position the jaw forward in order to allow the airway to be open. These are worn at night so that they do not interfere with a patient's daily activities. These devices come in the following forms: 

• Mandibular repositioning devices (MRDs)
• Tongue retaining devices (TRDs)
• Night guards

What Conditions Can An Oral Sleep Appliance Treat?

Oral sleep appliances are used mostly to treat mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea, though an oral appliance can be used to treat snoring as well. Oral sleep appliances work by repositioning the jaw and tongue, which opens up the airway and allows for normal breathing.

There are several types of oral sleep appliances. Some oral appliances reposition the jaw and tongue using metal wires and clasps. Others reposition the jaw and tongue using plastic trays that snap onto the upper and lower teeth. Oral sleep appliances require periodic adjustments to ensure that they're correctly fitted and functioning properly.

What Should I Expect During An Oral Sleep Appliance Fitting?

When you come into our office for an oral sleep appliance, we'll first perform a full exam and consultation. We will conduct a dental airway assessment and evaluate your condition's severity to determine which type of oral sleep appliance is best for your unique situation. We'll then create a mold of your teeth, which is where we'll make the oral sleep appliance. We'll likely have you come back in a day or two to try the oral sleep appliance, make any further adjustments, and have you return for a final fitting.

OPTISLEEP

OPTISLEEP is a type of custom-made oral appliance that is proven to be effective in addressing snoring or mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Patients with more severe OSA who are either unwilling or unable to have CPAP therapy can also benefit from the OPTISLEEP appliance. The device prevents apneas by maintaining the upper airway open. This is achieved by pulling the lower jaw forward to relax the muscles at the backside of the throat and preventing the tongue base from collapsing and blocking the airway.

Benefits of OPTISLEEP 

OPTISLEEP appliance offers the following benefits:

• Effective: Approximately 90% of OPTISLEEP users experienced improvements -  reduction of snoring and sleep apneas while wearing the device.
• Durable and of superior quality: The device is made of durable, highest-quality medical-grade material, ensuring its long-lastingness. 
• Non-limiting movement:OPTISLEEP devices do not interrupt the patient's natural opening and closing of their mouth. 
• Comfortable:The device is very slim, and hence, wearing it does not cause any discomfort.
• Custom-designed: Since the impressions for fabricating OPTISLEEP are digitally taken, it eliminates the need for unpleasant impressions. This also ensures the accuracy of the device's fitting. 
• Optimal flexibility:The two-piece device has exchangeable connectors, permitting wide-range movement of the patient's lower jaw.

To learn more, please reach out to our dental practice at (509) 946-9313 or schedule an appointment, and we'll guide you further. You can visit us at 90 Columbia Point Drive, Richland, WA 99352, to have a consultation with our dentists.