Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea

The Center for Sleep Apnea and TMJ is a dental clinic dedicated to helping you with sleep apnea, snoring, and TMJ pain. It’s time to smile again as you finally get a good night’s rest!

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Sleep Treatments

Oral appliances are simple in how they function as sleep treatments. An oral appliance keeps the airway open by keeping the lower jaw and tongue from falling back and blocking the airway. This is similar to the “head tilt, chin lift” procedure taught in CPR classes. While there are many appliances on the market, they all basically do the same thing—keep the airway open by preventing the jaw from falling back.

Oral appliances are made out of a variety of materials—most of which are adjustable. The sleep treatment appliance's being adjustable is important so that an effective jaw position can be found. In our center for sleep and TMJ patients are routinely scheduled for follow up sleep studies during which the appliance can be adjusted by the sleep technician to ensure that the appliance is working as well as possible.

Types of Appliances

EMA — The Center for Sleep Apnea and TMJ — Boise, ID

ELASTIC MANDIBULAR ADVANCEMENT (EMA)

The EMA (Elastic Mandibular Advancement) appliance is one of the most comfortable and adjustable appliances on the market. The EMA is easily adjusted by using different lengths of bands. The bands also come in different levels of hardness or flexibility allowing for significant customization of the fit and feel of the appliance. There is nothing in the way of the tongue at the front of the appliance. It is available in a traditional acrylic design or an upgraded 3D printed nylon material.

MDSA — The Center for Sleep Apnea and TMJ — Boise, ID

HOOK STYLE APPLIANCES

Hook style appliances are great for people that are missing their molar teeth. They incorporate a hook and bar system that keeps the jaw from moving back. The hook is on a track system which allows adjustment of the jaw position. These appliances are also nice for combination therapy with CPAP for people who cannot keep their mouth closed.

DORSAL — The Center for Sleep Apnea and TMJ — Boise, ID

DORSAL STYLE APPLIANCES

Dorsal style appliances have a distinct advantage of having the upper and lower pieces not hook together. This allows for people to open their mouth fully if needed. This appliance is great for people missing multiple teeth, that wear dentures or who have claustrophobic concerns.

HERBSTS STYLE APPLIANCES

SILENT SLEEP

A non-custom, sleep treatment appliance invented by Dr. Spencer. It is very comfortable and costs less than custom made appliances, as there is no need for impressions of the teeth, creation of models, and custom lab fabrication. The disadvantage of the Silent Sleep is that the jaw position cannot be adjusted by the patient. This may mean several office visits are needed to find the best position. The Silent Sleep is used mostly for simple snoring cases. The Silent Sleep is far more comfortable and less bulky than appliances seen on TV like the Pure Sleep. Buying an appliance on TV or through the internet should be avoided since there is no contact with a dentist and oral appliances can have negative dental side effects—especially when there is no follow up. If you’ve tried a TV appliance and it helped but you couldn’t stand to use it (due to bulkiness or comfort issues), then a Silent Sleep or a custom appliance like the EMA may be indicated.

Oral Appliances provide an effective treatment option for sleep apnea in Idaho. They look similar to an orthodontic retainer and are custom-made to fit the user’s mouth, jaw, and teeth. By positioning your tongue and holding the jaw in a slightly forward position, oral appliance therapy can dramatically reduce snoring and improve overall sleep quality. It’s often recommended by dental professionals for mild to moderate levels of sleep apnea — not just snoring. Oral appliance therapy is much more comfortable than CPAP machines since it doesn't require sleeping with a mask or machine. Plus, there's no need to worry about refilling water reservoirs or maintaining costly machinery either! With oral appliance therapy, you get a safe, non-invasive solution that fits into your daily lifestyle.

At The Center for Sleep Apnea & TMJ, our team understands the difficulty of finding the right oral device for sleep apnea. Our specially trained technicians provide you with a tailor-made oral appliance for your specific needs. Our sleep apnea doctor in Idaho offers high-quality oral appliances specific to treating sleep apnea in Boise and its surrounding areas. Our devices are designed and tested to meet the qualifications set forth by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

With highly trained and qualified staff, we provide the highest standard in oral care for those suffering from sleep apnea so that you can rest assured your oral device will fit comfortably. For those in Boise searching for a mouth appliance for sleep apnea, The Center for Sleep Apnea & TMJ are here to help.

Stop suffering from Sleep Apnea. Find out how we can help.

Is sleep apnea genetic?

What are my treatment options?

What is AHI?

Frequently Asked Questions

How does sleep apnea affect my overall health?

Sleep apnea can worsen other health problems by causing intermittent drops in blood oxygen levels, which can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular disorders. In addition, the disrupted sleep patterns associated with sleep apnea can also lead to daytime fatigue, depression, and poor concentration, which can negatively impact overall health and well-being.
Does sleep apnea occur in children?
Sleep apnea also affects children. Usually, this is due to the child having large tonsils that obstruct the airway; just like in adults, often snoring is a sign of an obstructed airway. Some of the problems common in children that have been linked to sleep apnea include:
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
- Mood disorders
- Bedwetting
- Problems learning
- Growth problems
How does sleep apnea affect my bed partner?

Sleep apnea can also adversely affect the sleep of the bed partner of the person with sleep apnea. Please click the link to read a study done by the Mayo Clinic on the effect of Sleep Apnea and Snoring on the Bed Partner on the bed partner.
How is sleep apnea treated?

Oral appliance therapy has become a widely used and accepted method of treating sleep-disordered breathing. The gold standard therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Although CPAP is usually very effective in treating OSA, there are many patients who are not able to tolerate its use. If you have tried to use CPAP but have given up on using the therapy, an oral appliance may be for you.

The quality of your sleep greatly affects your quality of life. The good news is that help is readily available from a sleep apnea clinic and usually doesn’t require medications. If you think you may have sleep apnea or you know someone who might, please ask us for a referral to a qualified sleep specialist in your area, or talk to your primary care doctor. Treating sleep apnea can add more life to your years and more years to your life.