What Conditions Can Be Treated With An Oral Appliance?

Hello, I’m Dr. Tom Drake. And I’ve been a dentist in the Kansas City area for over 40 years. In the last six years, I concentrated my studies on the treatment of people with snoring and sleep apnea using oral appliances. Oral appliance therapy has proven to be a very effective treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea, teeth grinding, and snoring. A custom fit oral sleep appliance can give you a better night’s sleep, make you more alert during the day, and revitalize your overall health.

According to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, oral appliances are a recommended option for treatment of snoring, mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and are recommended for patients with obstructive sleep apnea who are intolerant to CPAP therapy. The device is custom fitted and moves the lower jaw forward, opening and increasing the size of the patient’s airway. This reduces air resistance that leads to snoring and sleep apnea in the patient. Snoring is often the first outward sign that you are not getting a good night’s sleep. In severe cases, snoring can be extremely loud and also have periods of stopped breathing. In other words, if your bed partner is elbowing you in the middle of the night or you have excessive sleepiness during the day, your snoring may definitely be a problem.

An oral appliance can help you reduce the noise of snoring and regain the sleep your body requires to be alert and productive during the day. Oral appliances are also effective for people who grind their teeth. The appliance fits directly over your teeth, giving them a protective covering of acrylic, thus saving valuable enamel, which could be lost due to grinding at night. To sum up, an oral sleep appliance actually helps with three issues at once– sleep apnea, grinding, and snoring. If you are concerned that you or someone you know may have any one of these conditions, my recommendation to you is to call our office and schedule an airway evaluation appointment. My team and I look forward to your visit.