Oral Appliances For Sleep Apnea

Yes, oral appliances work for sleep apnea. Known as oral appliance therapy, this treatment method works passively to prevent sleep apnea by preventing physical blockages at the back of the throat and maintaining the flow of air through the airways. There are a number of different oral appliances, some of which may be more effective in certain situations than others.

– Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) — These specialized devices help open the airway by moving the jaw forward.

– Tongue-Stabilizing Devices (TSDs) — A common cause of airway obstruction is the tongue; during sleep, the tongue muscles relax, which can lead to limited airflow. By moving the tongue forward, tongue-stabilizing devices help clear the airway and unblock the passage of air.

– Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME) — Less common than the other two devices, RME helps to clear the airway by permanently expanding the width of the roof of the mouth; this is more common in children than adults.

Out of all of the sleep apnea treatment options, oral appliances are one of the more affordable. The cost of an oral appliance for sleep apnea is influenced by a number of factors, including the material from which it is made, the geographic location of the clinic from which it is supplied, the lab who fabricates it, and the expertise of the practitioner providing the device. Compared to CPAP machines, oral appliances are affordable and because many patients find that they prefer oral appliance therapy to CPAP, there are greater long-term benefits in the investment.

To learn more about how much an oral appliance will cost in your unique situation, please schedule a consultation at Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders.

Oral appliance therapy has become increasingly popular for the treatment of sleep apnea all over the United States and is covered under many insurance plans. However, it is important to note that while oral appliances are considered a dental treatment, they are not covered by dental insurance. Instead, because the therapy is for a medical condition, oral appliances are covered by most medical insurance carriers including Medicare.

Be sure to share your medical insurance information with our office when you schedule your initial consultation. Our team will go over your plan’s benefits with you at your first appointment and provide you with a written estimate prior to beginning any treatment. We also offer low and no interest financing upon approval if the patient is interested in making payment on their out of pocket expense.

Jaw clenching, also known as teeth grinding and medically referred to as bruxism, is a common condition characterized by an involuntary habitual grinding of the teeth, typically during sleep. When a patient is suffering from a partially or fully blocked airway, one of the body’s defense mechanisms is to clench and grind to help the sleeper find an open airway. The action of clenching flexes the tissue and makes them more firm. The action of grinding moves the jaw forward which helps to open the airway. If you are suffering from bruxism as a result of obstructive sleep apnea, an oral sleep appliance would be able to treat both of these conditions.

If you or someone you love is living with sleep apnea, the team at Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders can custom-design an oral appliance that can help improve your quality of sleep. Call us today to book an appointment for an oral appliance, or visit one of our locations: we serve patients from all across the United States, and have clinics in Mishawaka IN, Bloomington IL, Peoria – Dunlap IL, Kansas City MO, Wausau WI and El Paso TX. We look forward to serving you!