Experience Sleep Apnea Solutions Beyond CPAP
If you are living with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy remains highly effective and may be the best option for many people. For those looking for another option or added support, oral appliance therapy (OAT) is another clinically proven treatment pathway that may be used on its own or, in some cases, alongside CPAP.
The goal is to find a treatment that is right for your health, works well when tested, and is realistic for you to use every night.
For eligible patients, OAT offers a quiet, compact and professionally managed way to support your airway during sleep. It may be worth discussing if you:
- have a strong preference for OAT, whether your OSA is mild, moderate or severe;
- have difficulty wearing CPAP throughout the night;
- experience mask discomfort, claustrophobia or difficulty with air flow/pressure;
- travel often or want greater flexibility in your treatment routine;
- have other treatment needs that your sleep clinician and dental provider believe may be suited to OAT.
OAT is not right for everyone, and it should never be used as a do-it-yourself replacement for prescribed obstructive sleep apnea treatment. A clinical assessment is the first step.
What Is an Oral Appliance?
An oral appliance is a custom-made, adjustable dental device worn while you sleep. Although it may look somewhat like a nightguard or clear aligner, but it has a very different purpose.
A properly prescribed oral appliance is designed and customized to support breathing by gently repositioning and stabilizing the lower jaw. This helps move the tongue and connected soft tissues forward, creating more space in the upper airway and helping prevent it from narrowing or closing during sleep.
Effective OAT involves more than simply receiving a device. The appliance is selected, fitted and adjusted by a qualified dental provider trained in dental sleep medicine. Your dental provider and sleep care team will also follow your progress, check your comfort and confirm that the treatment is working.
Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy
Patients often value OAT because it can fit naturally into everyday life. Depending on your individual needs, benefits may include:
- A simple nightly routine: No mask, tubing or airflow pressure is required.
- Quiet treatment: The appliance does not make any machine noise.
- Portable and discreet: It fits into a small case and is easy to use at home or away. This can be helpful for travel, overnight stays, or anyone who prefers a private, low-profile treatment option.
- A personalized fit: The device is created from detailed records of your teeth, bite and mouth.
- Adjustable treatment: The position of the appliance can be slowly adjusted to support your airway while keeping you comfortable.
- Flexible care: Most patients use OAT as their main treatment, while others may use it as part of a care plan that also includes PAP.
- Cost-effective over time: With no supplies to replace regularly, OAT may be lower cost than other treatments. With proper care, it can last for several years.
The best treatment is one that effectively treats your condition and is realistic for you to use every night!
How Oral Appliances Work
OSA occurs when tissues in the upper airway relax during sleep and repeatedly restrict or block airflow. These breathing interruptions can lower oxygen levels, fragment sleep and contribute to symptoms such as loud snoring, daytime fatigue, morning headaches, poor concentration, and much more.
Most sleep apnea oral appliances are mandibular advancement devices. They hold the lower jaw in a carefully chosen forward position, which can help keep the airway open and more stable throughout the night.
Treatment is usually refined over time through titration. This means the jaw position is adjusted in small steps based on your symptoms, comfort, and your care team’s direction. Moving the jaw farther forward is not automatically better. The goal is to find a position that supports your airway, remains comfortable and protects your long-term oral health.
Feeling better or snoring less does not always mean your OSA is fully controlled. Follow-up sleep testing may be recommended to measure how well the appliance is working.
What Can Treatment Success Look Like?
Innovations in OAT have come a long way in recent years. Appropriately selected patients can achieve meaningful and even life-changing results with OAT, including people with mild, moderate or severe OSA.
Research shows that custom, adjustable oral appliances can significantly reduce breathing events, oxygen drops, snoring and daytime tiredness. Some studies have also found that patients may use OAT more consistently than PAP. Consistent use is an important part of how well any treatment works overall.
Don’t Leave Sleep Apnea Untreated
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is highly effective, but it is not the only option. Leaving obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) untreated may increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. It can also affect your energy, mood, concentration and overall quality of life.
For appropriately selected patients, oral appliance therapy (OAT) is a clinically proven treatment that can reduce breathing events, oxygen drops, snoring and daytime sleepiness. It may also improve quality of life and many other health conditions. If CPAP is not realistic for you, speak with your sleep care team about whether OAT may be a better fit.
Struggling to get enough sleep? We’re here to help!
If you would like to understand whether OAT may be appropriate for you or your current treatment is difficult to use consistently, talk with your sleep care team.
Try our Solution Finder to explore your next step or contact Resolve Sleep Health for a personalized assessment.
Sleep Better with Smart Habits
OAT works best as part of a consistent sleep and treatment routine.
Sleep Hygiene Tips
- Keep a regular sleep and wake schedule, including on weekends.
- Limit alcohol and heavy meals close to bedtime, as these can worsen airway collapse for some people.
- Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet.
- Limit screen time and bright lights 1 hour before going to sleep.
- Speak with your care team if nasal congestion regularly interferes with sleep or breathing.
- Follow any recommendations you have received about sleep position, physical activity or weight management.
Track Your Progress
- Wear your appliance every night as directed.
- Note changes in snoring, awakenings, daytime alertness, energy and morning headaches.
- Ask a bed partner whether they notice changes in snoring or breathing pauses.
- Bring your appliance to dental and sleep follow-up visits.
- Complete follow-up sleep testing when recommended to confirm effectiveness.
Ready to Sleep Better—Anywhere in Canada?
The right obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment is personal. For some people, that will be continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. For others, oral appliance therapy (OAT) may provide an effective pathway on its own or as part of a broader treatment plan. What matters is staying treated with a solution that is clinically appropriate, verified and sustainable for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. OAT is a proven and effective treatment for OSA. Unlike store-bought mouthguards, Resolve’s OAT uses a custom, adjustable appliance that is fitted and monitored by a qualified dental provider in coordination with your sleep care team. It can reduce breathing events, oxygen drops, snoring, and disrupted sleep. Follow-up sleep testing is used to confirm that treatment is working.
No. It is a custom-made dental device designed to reposition and stabilize the jaw to support the airway during sleep. It is prescribed for an appropriate patient, fitted by a qualified dental provider and adjusted as part of an ongoing treatment plan.
No. OAT may be considered for people with mild, moderate or severe OSA. Because we provide both PAP and OAT, your care team can recommend OAT, PAP, or a combination of both. The best treatment depends on your diagnosis, health risks, anatomy, ability to use PAP and personal preferences, not severity alone.
Some people experience temporary jaw tenderness, tooth sensitivity, dry mouth or increased saliva while adjusting. A custom fit, gradual titration and timely follow-ups can help manage these effects. Persistent pain should be reported rather than ignored.
Some people may experience small changes in tooth position or bite over time while using an oral appliance. Your dental provider will monitor your teeth and bite and take steps to reduce this risk. A morning occlusal guide and simple exercises may also be recommended to help your jaw and bite return to their usual position after nightly wear. Following your dental provider’s instructions and attending regular follow-up appointments are important for identifying and managing any changes early.
Store-bought devices and anti-snoring products are made for general use and do not provide the same personalized care as clinically managed OAT. A qualified dental provider trained in sleep medicine works with your sleep clinic team to provide a custom-fit, medical-grade appliance, professional adjustments, monitoring and follow-up testing. Without this support, a device may cause jaw or bite problems and may not effectively treat your sleep apnea.
Possibly. Some people use OAT for travel or as part of combination therapy. In certain cases, combining the therapies may make PAP more comfortable or allow treatment at a lower pressure. Any change should be coordinated with your sleep clinician; do not stop or alter prescribed PAP therapy on your own.
You may notice less snoring, fewer awakenings or improved daytime energy, but symptoms alone cannot confirm that OSA is controlled. Your care team may recommend an efficacy sleep study while you wear the appliance. This measures your breathing and oxygen levels and helps determine whether further adjustment is needed.
Other dentists may provide OAT and may use a variety of oral appliance devices. Resolve works with dental providers who use carefully selected OAT devices that are supported by strong clinical evidence and shown to be highly effective. Resolve takes a collaborative approach, with your dental provider and sleep clinic team working together to coordinate treatment, monitor your progress and confirm that your obstructive sleep apnea is being effectively treated.
Start by speaking with your Resolve Sleep Health team. We’ll help determine whether oral appliance therapy (OAT) is right for you and coordinate your care with your doctor and a qualified dentist trained in dental sleep medicine. The process includes a dental assessment and digital scans, custom fitting, gradual adjustments and follow-up testing.
Most patients adjust to their oral appliance for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) within a few nights. Comfort improves gradually as the mouth and jaw adapt to the custom-fit device. Some temporary side effects, such as mild jaw discomfort, dry mouth, or excess saliva, may occur during the adjustment period but typically resolve quickly. Regular follow-up helps ensure optimal fit, comfort, and effectiveness.
Like any medical device, your oral appliance requires regular care to maintain its effectiveness, comfort, and durability. Daily cleaning helps prevent bacteria buildup, preserves the fit and function of the appliance, and can extend its lifespan. For detailed cleaning instructions and expert recommendations, read our guide:
How to Maintain Your Oral Appliance: Expert Tips for Cleaning and Daily Use