sleep apnea
Ask us how we can help you kick the CPAP
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep Apnea is a condition involving pauses or decreases in breathing during sleep. It is usually due to airway collapse. This collapse occurs in the nose and/or the throat anywhere from where air enters the nostrils to the back of the tongue.
What Is a Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard?
A sleep apnea mouth guard, also called an oral appliance or mandibular advancement device, is a small, custom-made device worn in the mouth during sleep. Unlike a generic snore guard from the drugstore, it is designed from a precise impression of your teeth and bite, so it fits securely and comfortably night after night.
The device works by gently repositioning the lower jaw and tongue to keep the airway open. Sleep apnea happens when soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses and blocks airflow during sleep. By holding the jaw in a slightly forward position, a sleep apnea mouth guard prevents that collapse, allowing air to move freely and reducing the pauses in breathing that disrupt rest.
Oral appliance therapy has become one of the most requested treatments for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and for patients who cannot tolerate a CPAP machine. It is quiet, portable, requires no electricity or hoses, and many patients find it far easier to wear consistently than a CPAP mask.
Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) are the most common type of sleep apnea mouth guard. They fit over the upper and lower teeth like a sports guard and use a small hinge or connector to hold the lower jaw slightly forward, keeping the airway from narrowing during sleep.
Tongue Retaining Devices (TRDs) work a little differently. Rather than repositioning the jaw, they hold the tongue forward using gentle suction, which keeps it from falling back and blocking the throat. These are typically recommended for specific cases where a MAD isn't the right fit.
Custom-fit oral appliances are always preferable to over-the-counter versions. A boil-and-bite or one-size-fits-all mouth guard can shift out of place, cause jaw discomfort, or simply fail to hold the airway open effectively. A dentist-fitted device is calibrated to your bite and adjusted over time for the best possible results.
Who Can Benefit From a Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard?
Oral appliance therapy isn't only for people who snore. It's often recommended for adults who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or for those with more severe cases who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy long-term.
Common signs that you may benefit from an evaluation include loud or chronic snoring, waking up gasping or choking, morning headaches, dry mouth upon waking, and persistent daytime fatigue even after a full night's sleep. Left untreated, sleep apnea has also been linked to high blood pressure, heart problems, and a higher risk of teeth grinding and jaw pain.
A proper diagnosis starts with a sleep study, which your physician or our office can help coordinate. Once obstructive sleep apnea is confirmed, we can determine whether a custom oral appliance is the right treatment path for you, or whether it should be used alongside other therapies.
Caring for your appliance is simple. Rinse it after each use, brush it gently like you would your teeth, and bring it to your regular dental visits so we can check the fit and make any needed adjustments. A well-maintained oral appliance can last several years with proper care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call us to schedule a consultation.
We are limited in how many consultations we can schedule during any given period - so make sure to schedule yours as soon as possible.
Call us
