To be considered “compliant” with CPAP treatment, the mask must be worn at least 4 hours per night, 21 days per month. Even with this lenient definition, rates of CPAP compliance have been estimated as low as 17%*.

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As many as 4 out of 5 CPAP users are non-compliant! Which means they are not treating their condition and they are putting their lives in danger every night. For patients that cannot tolerate CPAP or are habitually non-compliant, Oral Appliance Therapy can be an alternative treatment. Not every case qualifies for Oral Appliance Therapy, and any treatment decisions need to be made with your primary care doctor and/or a board-certified sleep physician.

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While CPAP has been shown to be more effective at reducing polysomnographic variables in lab settings, due to the higher compliance rate of Oral Appliance Therapy, their effectiveness is nearly equivalent in real world settings**.

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Oral Appliance Therapy

Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) uses a custom fitted dental appliance, similar to a retainer, to ensure unrestricted airflow during sleep. The device positions the lower jaw forward, which moves the base of the tongue slightly to ensure the airway remains open during sleep. The appliance fits in the palm of your hand, uses no power and has no hoses or pumps.

 

Oral Appliance Therapy consists of four steps:
 

• Screening and home sleep test schedule on first visit

• Home sleep test results are reviewed by a board-certified sleep physician who makes a diagnosis and therapy suggestion

• Delivery of custom-made oral appliance

• Easy follow-up maintenance once or twice a year
   

Do not mistake OAT with a drugstore snoreguard, which is not FDA cleared for treating OSA. Attempting to treat OSA with an unapproved device and not under the care of a trained professional could exacerbate the condition leading to potentially serious complications.

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How it Works

1. Schedule a screening at our office

2. If the screening indicates you are at risk for OSA, we will arrange a Home Sleep Test

3. Sleep in your own bed while the device monitors your sleep

4. Results from the test are downloaded and sent to a board-certified Sleep Physician for review and diagnosis

5. If the physician recommends Oral Appliance Therapy, we will take impressions of your teeth and create a custom device for you

6. After the device is made, it may require adjustments to ensure optimal airflow

7. A follow up home sleep test is used to verify the device is working as intended