How Does an Oral Sleep Appliance Work?

An oral sleep appliance is a tailor-made device that you wear while you sleep to help keep your airway open. It prevents interruptions in your breathing, which are often associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). An oral sleep appliance is a great alternative to a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. It offers a more comfortable and less intrusive option for many of our patients here at Emery & Scuro DMD, PC in Rochester, New York.

Our skilled team, led by Carol Scuro, DMD, Bradford Emery, DMD, and Nicholas Emery, DDS, works with you to customize an oral sleep appliance that helps you sleep soundly through the night. Let’s take a look at how the device works and discover some of its many benefits.

How an oral sleep appliance works

An oral sleep appliance works in three main ways:

Jaw positioning: An oral sleep appliance gently moves your lower jaw into a forward position to keep your tongue in place so it won’t obstruct your airway throughout the night.
Airway maintenance: By keeping your tongue in place, the device helps create more space at the back of your throat. With a clear airway, you’ll have fewer apnea episodes and interruptions, leading to more restorative sleep.
Custom-fit: Our team custom-designs your device to fit your mouth precisely. It’s comfortable, which increases the likelihood you’ll use it regularly.

When you wake up in the morning, you’ll remove the appliance, clean it, and store it in a case until you put it back in before bed later that night.

The benefits of an oral sleep appliance

When you’re looking for a solution to snoring and sleep apnea, consider these many benefits:

Improved sleep quality: When you go to bed wearing an oral sleep appliance, you’ll likely feel more rested the next morning. The boost in sleep quality can improve your overall health, enhance your mood, and increase your productivity.
Decreased snoring: Snoring is disruptive and a primary reason for frequently waking at night. An oral appliance can significantly reduce (or eliminate!) snoring, so you and your partner can sleep in peace.
Portability: Unlike a clunky CPAP machine, your oral sleep appliance is small and portable, making it easy to take with you on vacations or business trips.

Talk to your dentist about how an oral sleep appliance can specifically benefit you and improve your oral and overall health.

Let’s get started

Schedule a consultation with our team to evaluate the severity of your sleep apnea and snoring and to discuss your specific needs. We’ll customize an oral sleep appliance to help improve your sleep quality so you can wake up refreshed and ready for each new day. Call now or request an appointment online.