Oral appliance therapy, or OAT, is appropriate for patients with snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who cannot tolerate CPAP or prefer an alternative to CPAP. These services are performed by a dentist with special training in treating OSA. Mandibular advancement appliances are custom made devices with an upper and lower mouthpiece joined by some adjustable means to properly ensure the appliance is optimized to control OSA. The appliance works by holding the lower jaw in a forward position preventing the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat, keeping the airway open during sleep.
There are many types of oral appliances available to treat snoring and sleep apnea and selection of the most appropriate one can be made by Dr. Farquhar during a consultation exam.
These appliances do not work for everyone, however an in-home Matrx Plus study can determine if oral appliance therapy is right for you BEFORE you commit to treatment.