Resources for Professionals

Q1: How does oral appliance therapy work?

A1: Oral appliance therapy (OAT) helps by supporting the jaw and opening the airway during sleep. This allows the tongue to be kept in a position that does not block the patient’s airway. There are many styles of custom oral appliances, and a trained dentist is able to select the most appropriate appliance based on the individual patient’s anatomical features such as dentition and other oral structures.

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Q2: How do dentists communicate with referring physicians if/when we refer patients out?

A2: I will communicate via your preferred method of communication (letter, fax, or email). Prior to beginning therapy, we will discuss and agree upon the metrics to be used when determining each patient’s response to therapy. My office will let you know when the patient begins oral appliance therapy and will keep you updated about the patient’s progress and any treatment decisions that have been made. When the oral appliance has been delivered and I believe the patient is using it at its therapeutically effective position, our office will refer the patient to you for your confirmation of efficacy of OAT. We will continue to follow the patient annually and keep you informed of any changes in the patient’s symptoms or if the patient discontinues therapy.

 

Q3: What are common side effects? How do you help manage/mitigate them?

A3: Common side effects are muscle soreness, occlusion (bite) changes, excess salivation, initial tooth pressure soreness, TMJ/muscles associated tightness, cheek tissue biting/abrasion. Most side effects occur early in treatment and subside on their own in a short time. Patients will receive home care instructions and frequent follow ups to help minimize any challenges, including a morning aligner to help prevent any changes in the patient's occlusion. I can also provide other options like prescriptions, if necessary, to mitigate any symptoms. We discuss these potential side effects in depth with patients, including all steps in place to help lessen and prevent them.

 

Q4: What is the turnaround time for receiving an appliance, and how quickly can patients expect to feel improvements in their sleep/quality of life?

A4: It may take 2-3 weeks to receive an appliance. Many patients feel improved sleep, energy, and less fatigue almost immediately after beginning OAT. Most patients are seeing excellent improvement by 6 weeks when adjustments and titrations are complete.

 

Q5: How effective/reliable is oral appliance therapy?

A5: Research has shown OAT to have similar effectiveness to CPAP in mild to moderate cases. For patients with severe sleep apnea who are intolerant of CPAP, OAT is an acceptable mode of treatment. OAT is comfortable, convenient, and quiet compared to CPAP, which makes for a higher compliance rate. OAT can also be used in combination with CPAP to lower the pressures. OAT is a multi-prong approach therapy that must be administered by a well-educated, trained, and experienced qualified dentist.