Oral Appliance Therapy: Your Path to a Better Night’s Sleep

At Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders, we specialize in providing non-invasive solutions for obstructive sleep apnea and snoring, including advanced oral appliance therapy. This treatment utilizes a custom-made, removable device—similar to a sports mouthguard or orthodontic retainer—that’s carefully designed to fit comfortably in your mouth. Our expert team ensures each oral appliance is tailored to gently reposition your lower jaw and tongue during sleep, helping to keep your airway open, reduce airway collapse, and promote uninterrupted breathing throughout the night.

Oral appliance therapy works by preventing the soft tissues at the back of your throat from collapsing and blocking airflow. When worn as prescribed, these devices can significantly reduce or even eliminate episodes of snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Our experienced dental professionals are specially trained in sleep medicine and TMJ disorders. They will fit and adjust your oral appliance to maximize both comfort and effectiveness.

This therapy is often recommended for individuals who are unable to tolerate or prefer not to use CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) devices. Our commitment to ongoing care means we schedule regular follow-up visits to monitor your progress, make any necessary adjustments, and address potential side effects such as jaw discomfort or bite changes.

Our experienced team uses advanced technology and a comprehensive evaluation process to design oral appliances that are tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy and needs. By maintaining a clear, unobstructed airway, these appliances can significantly reduce episodes of interrupted breathing (apneas and hypopneas), helping you achieve deeper and more restorative sleep.

Many of our patients notice a dramatic decrease in nighttime awakenings, less snoring, and a lower risk of oxygen drops during sleep. As a result, improvements in daytime alertness, concentration, mood, and overall well-being are commonly reported. Oral appliance therapy is especially beneficial for individuals with mild to moderate sleep apnea or for those who find CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy uncomfortable or intolerable.

At Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders, we specialize in the use of custom oral appliances to effectively manage certain sleep disorders, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and primary snoring. For individuals with mild to moderate OSA, our oral appliances are designed to gently reposition the jaw or tongue, helping to keep the airway open during sleep and significantly reduce episodes of interrupted breathing. These appliances are also highly effective for patients who experience primary snoring (snoring not associated with apneic events), as they minimize the vibration of soft tissues in the throat, resulting in a noticeable decrease in snoring intensity.

While oral appliance therapy is a cornerstone of our treatment approach for obstructive sleep apnea and snoring, it is important to note that these devices are not typically effective for other sleep disorders, such as central sleep apnea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, or parasomnias.

Oral appliance therapy involves custom-fitted devices that are worn in the mouth during sleep. These appliances work by gently repositioning the jaw or tongue, which helps keep the airway open and reduces snoring and apnea events. Our experienced team carefully designs each appliance to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness, taking into account your unique dental and anatomical needs.

Clinical studies have shown that oral appliance therapy is a safe and reliable long-term treatment for many individuals with sleep-disordered breathing. Most of our patients tolerate these appliances very well, with only minor side effects such as mild jaw discomfort, dry mouth, or slight tooth movement. These issues are typically temporary and can often be resolved through device adjustments or as your mouth adapts over time. At Koala® Center, our dental sleep medicine professionals monitor your progress closely with regular follow-up visits to ensure your therapy remains comfortable and effective, and to promptly address any concerns.

Oral appliance therapy is especially beneficial for those with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or for patients who have difficulty tolerating CPAP therapy. Many of our patients experience significant improvements in their sleep quality, reduced snoring, and fewer breathing interruptions, often maintaining these results over several years of use.

At Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders, our experienced providers may recommend oral appliance therapy following a thorough evaluation of your symptoms and medical history. If you are struggling with issues such as snoring, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), or jaw pain related to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, our team will first assess the severity of your condition through a detailed physical examination and, if necessary, sleep studies.

For patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or those who are unable to tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliance therapy is often a highly effective alternative. We use custom-made oral appliances that gently reposition your jaw and tongue, helping to keep your airway open throughout the night. This can significantly reduce symptoms, improve sleep quality, and enhance your overall health and well-being.

Our dedicated team will walk you through how the oral appliance works, expertly fit the device to your unique bite, and provide consistent follow-up care to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness. At Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders, we pride ourselves on delivering personalized treatment plans that are tailored to your specific needs, resulting in better outcomes and greater patient satisfaction. If you’re ready to take the next step toward better sleep and relief from TMJ pain, schedule a consultation with us today. We serve patients from Wausau WI, Schofield WI, Weston WI, Rothschild WI, Brokaw WI, and surrounding areas.