What is Oral Appliance Therapy?
Oral Appliance Therapy includes the selection, fitting and use of a specially designed oral appliance that helps to maintain an open airway during sleep. Our dental office may be able to help you with your sleep-related breathing issues by creating an oral appliance that is custom-made specifically for your mouth. This small plastic device fits into your mouth while you sleep helping to keep your airway open for improved sleep.
Advantages of Oral Appliance Therapy
- Comfortable and easy to wear
- Small and convenient – making them easy to take with you when traveling
- Improves snoring and other sleep-related breathing issues resulting in less daytime sleepiness
- Higher compliance rates than CPAP
- It is a non-invasive treatment option
- Approved by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
To complete the evaluation, we will need a copy of your most recent sleep study. If you have not had a sleep study within the last 5 years, we would refer you to your Primary Physician, an ENT clinic, or one of our areas qualified Sleep Physicians to determine if you are a primary snorer or if you have Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Typically, your Primary Physician will be able to prescribe a Home Sleep Study that you can take in your normal sleep environment or they may recommend that have an over night Polysomnogram in a sleep facility.
If you’re getting a sleep appliance from Great Plains Dental, we ask that you complete this paperwork at your earliest convenience.
How Can Oral Appliance Therapy Help Me?
Snoring Problems
Snoring can cause disrupted sleep for both you and your sleeping partner. Snoring happens when tissues at the back of the roof of the mouth vibrates against the back of the throat. The Oral Appliance works to prevent your airway from collapsing. It does this by either holding the tongue or supporting the jaw and decreasing snoring.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
A common sleeping disorder that occurs when a person pauses breathing or has shallow breathing that interrupts their sleep. Oral Appliances are only recommended for mild to moderate sleep apnea. The Oral Appliance is designed specifically for your mouth and works to improve the upper airway opening.
Front-Line Treatment
The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine states that Oral Appliances are a “front-line treatment for patients with mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea”. For many patients with primary snoring or obstructive sleep apnea prefer the Oral Appliance to a CPAP.
Is it Right for Me?
If you have one of the following, the Oral Appliance might be right for you:
- Primary/Heavy Snorer
- Diagnosed with mild or moderate sleep apnea
- Person who has a difficult time with a nasal CPAP
- Someone who has failure of surgery
- Persons who travels a lot
- Person who wants additional relief with use of a CPAP
If you have any questions about how an Oral Appliance can help you with snoring or sleep apnea, Contact Us at 605.339.2955.
We Help Make Your Priceless Smile Affordable
Great Plains Dental accepts most dental insurance plans. Our staff will work with you to understand your plan’s benefits and submit claims to your insurance company. If you don’t have dental insurance, we accept major credit cards and can also create a payment plan that fits into your budget. Putting off dental care may end up costing you more in the long run, including your smile.
Questions? Contact our billing office or call 605.339.2955.
