An oral appliance is a small, custom fabricated device that fits in your mouth to create more space and prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissue in the back of the throat. This helps to keep the airway open by repositioning and stabilizing the tongue and lower jaw. The mandibular advancement device can be adjusted (titrated) to help obtain the correct setting for each individual patient to maximize air flow to help reduce snoring and apnea events.

Yes.  A recent study estimated that 12% of Americans have OSA and 80% remain undiagnosed (Frost & Sullivan Report - 2016).  In 2015, the economic impact of undiagnosed OSA in the United States was estimated to be $149.6 million, attributed to workplace accidents, motor vehicle accidents, lost productivity, and comorbid diseases.  These comorbid diseases include hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, asthma and other breathing disorders, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.  Other common symptoms of OSA include snoring, daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, fragmented sleep, and morning headaches.

Oral appliance therapy is effective 60% to 80% of the time depending upon the severity of the obstructive sleep apnea. It is especially important that you discuss all options with your sleep physician and/or primary care physician to determine the best treatment for you. We work in conjunction with your physicians and general dentist throughout your oral appliance therapy. For most patients, adjusting to oral appliance use is quick and easy.  They take little time to clean, are small and easy to store, and are only worn during sleep.  If you travel frequently and find it cumbersome to bring your positive airway pressure (PAP) machine with you, oral appliances offer an effective and convenient alternative to accommodate your lifestyle.

Patients have mild to moderate OSA. Patients with moderate to severe OSA who are unable or unwilling to tolerate CPAP therapy
CPAP therapy alone does not alleviate the OSA symptoms; combination therapy is the use of an oral device and CPAP at the same time
After titration of your oral appliance is complete and you are feeling the benefits of this therapy, an overnight sleep study is required to determine the clinical effectiveness of this treatment.

Yes.  Like any medical treatment, there are certain side effects associated with oral appliance therapy that your provider will monitor for closely.  Common examples include increased salivation, soft tissue irritation, transient discomfort, and dry mouth.  Less common side effects include minor bite changes and TMD symptoms.

Once your provider examines you and decides that you are a candidate for oral appliance therapy (OAT), the rest is easy!  First, our billing office will work with your insurance company to determine your coverage.  Next, our staff will take impressions (molds) of your teeth, including a bite registration which tells the outside laboratory exactly where we want your jaw positioned to start treatment.  From here, we wait for the laboratory to fabricate your customized appliance, a process which takes 1-3 weeks, depending on the style of appliance.  Finally, we fit your appliance in a quick visit designed for your provider to fine-tune your appliance before you go home to put it to the test!

Most insurance plans cover oral appliances for OSA, but we recommend you contact your carrier prior to scheduling your visit to learn about your individual benefits.  Our billing office is also available to answer insurance-related questions and can be reached during normal business hours at 414.755.4768.

We will schedule you for an initial consult appointment. During the initial appointment, the doctor will review your sleep study and speak with you about your overall health and history of snoring and sleep apnea. A complete oral exam will be done, and we will determine if you are a good candidate for an oral appliance. You will also have time to ask any questions, hold samples of the most common appliances we use, get details on the process, and go over cost information.