Oral Appliance Therapy
If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or struggle with chronic snoring, finding the right treatment matters. Oral appliance therapy (OAT) offers an effective, comfortable, discreet, and travel-friendly solution designed to help you breathe easier, sleep deeper, and wake up feeling refreshed.
Custom-fit to your mouth; these devices gently reposition your jaw or tongue to keep your upper airway open throughout the night, supporting more consistent, restorative sleep.
What is Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)?
Oral appliance therapy uses a custom dental device – worn during sleep. It works by:
- Gently moving the lower jaw forward, or
- Stabilizing the tongue to prevent upper airway collapse
This helps maintain steady airflow and reduces interruptions in breathing caused by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
These devices are most commonly recommended for:
- Mild to severe sleep obstructive apnea
- Chronic snoring
- Individuals who struggle with CPAP therapy
- Those who want a supplemental therapy option for portability, comfort, or lifestyle convenience.
Who Can Benefit from a Custom Oral Appliance?
People with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a custom oral appliance gently repositions your jaw or tongue, keeping your upper airway open throughout the night. This reduces snoring and apnea episodes, promoting restorative sleep.
Frequent Snorers
Is snoring disturbing your sleep or your partner’s rest? Oral appliances help maintain an open upper airway, minimizing or eliminating disruptive snoring for peaceful nights.
CPAP Users Seeking Flexbility
If you rely on CPAP therapy but need an alternative for travel or lifestyle convenience, a custom oral appliance can complement your current treatment.
Anyone Wanting Greater Comfort
If you find CPAP masks uncomfortable or intrusive, custom oral appliances provide a more comfortable, minimally invasive option for obstructive sleep apnea and snoring relief.
Our Process: Simple, Personalized Care
Consultation
Schedule an appointment with a Resolve Sleep Health clinician. Our team will discuss your sleep health and provide you with information about oral appliance therapy (OAT). If you and your primary care provider agree that oral appliance therapy (OAT) is right for you, we’ll schedule you for a pre-screening appointment.
Custom Fitting
A Dentist with specialized training in Dental Sleep Medicine will confirm that oral appliance therapy (OAT) is appropriate and take precise digital impressions of your teeth to create a custom-fitted oral appliance tailored to your needs.
Ongoing Support & Adjustments
Have regular follow-up visits to ensure your oral appliance is working effectively, and adjustments are made for optimal results and comfort.
Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy offers a simple, effective way to treat obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. For many patients, it’s a more comfortable and sustainable long-term solution.
- Because they’re more comfortable and easier to use, many patients are more consistent with oral appliance therapy compared to CPAP, leading to better long-term results.
- Treating obstructive sleep apnea can help reduce risks associated with untreated sleep disorders, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and daytime fatigue.
- Unlike CPAP machines, oral appliances are completely silent and don’t require bulky equipment, helping both you and your partner sleep more peacefully.
- Unlike CPAP machines, there is less maintenance, with no masks, tubing, filters, or water chambers to regularly replace or resupply.
- Compact and portable, your oral appliance can go wherever you do.
The Difference of a Custom Oral Appliance
An Oral Therapy Device is custom-milled and precision-engineered to fit your unique dental anatomy. These are not the generic, over-the-counter “boil and bite” appliances that often cause jaw or bite issues and lack durability, comfort, and effectiveness.
Here’s why custom-milled devices stand out:
- Effectiveness: Precision-engineered to help keep the upper airway open and reduce breathing interruptions during sleep.
- Personalized Fit: Created from digital scans of your teeth for secure retention and all-night comfort.
- Durability: Constructed from high-quality material that maintains its strength, shape, and performance over time.
- Bite and Jaw Protection: Carefully fitted and adjusted to minimize bite changes, jaw discomfort, and strain on the jaw joints.
- Safe & Easy Care: Made from medical grade, anti-bacterial material that is safe and simple to clean.
- Collaborative Care: Fitted, adjusted, and monitored long-term by dental professionals working alongside your sleep health providers
Oral Appliance vs. CPAP: Which Is Right for You?
CPAP therapy remains the gold standard for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. However, many patients find it difficult to tolerate long-term.
Oral appliances provide a practical alternative if:
- You find CPAP uncomfortable
- You need a solution for travel or portability
- You have mild to severe OSA
- You want a less invasive treatment option
Learn more about how these options compare in our guide: Oral Appliances: CPAP Alternatives for Restorative Sleep
FAQs
Is oral appliance therapy effective for obstructive sleep apnea?
Yes, oral appliance therapy is a proven and effective obstructive sleep apnea treatment for individuals with mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This custom-made dental device gently repositions the lower jaw to keep the upper airway open during sleep, helping reduce snoring, breathing pauses, and disrupted sleep. Many patients experience improved sleep quality, better daytime energy, and a reduction in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms without the need for a CPAP machine.
How long does it take to get used to an oral appliance?
Most patients adjust to their oral appliance for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) within a few nights to a couple of weeks. 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 visits with your Resolve Sleep Health clinician to help ensure optimal fit, comfort, and effectiveness.
How do I care for my oral appliance
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