Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is a proven treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) and Snoring, especially for people with mild to moderate OSA or those who cannot tolerate CPAP, Mask therapy. While people sometimes call these devices “mouth guards” or “bite guards,” Medical grade Sleep Appliance systems are patient assessed, custom-designed appliances and clinically adjusted and titrated to gently reposition your jaw, in order for your airway remain open while you sleep. This is often done in collaboration with your doctor: Medical Consultant and/or your GP.
What is an Oral Appliance?
A sleep appliance is a custom-fitted oral device worn at night to optimally manage your symptoms
- Mandibular Advancement Devices or Oral Appliance Therapy (MAD’s) – Gently reposition the lower jaw slightly forward to maintain optimal airway position, overnight.
These devices are individualised, portable, quiet, non-invasive, and are often easier to sleep with than mask-based therapies, especially when mask therapy cannot be tolerated. Examples of patients who present with mask intolerance include claustrophobic patients, patients suffering with anxiety, patients with insomnia, also patients with mild or moderate sleep apnoea who would prefer oral appliance therapy.
These patients are often referred by their doctor; Consultant or General Practitioner to manage their Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. Also patients who travel regularly and would prefer Oral Appliance therapy for the treatment of their OSA, once their diagnosis is treatable with this therapy, in line with medical guidance.
How does it work?
During sleep, the tissues at the back of the throat may narrow or collapse, causing snoring, breathing pauses (apnoeas), a fall in circulating oxygen, and fractured, broken sleep.
By advancing the lower jaw or stabilising the tongue, the appliance opens the upper airway, reducing snoring, and lowers the number of apnoea events, supporting healthier, restorative uninterrupted sleep.
Who is Oral Appliance therapy suitable for?
You may be suitable for Oral Appliance Therapy if you:
- Have been diagnosed with Mild to Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.
- Struggle with CPAP (mask therapy) causing fractured sleep
- Snore, especially where the disturbance is affecting your partner’s sleep also
- Grind your teeth (bruxism) or have TMJ symptoms, selected appliance therapies can effectively manage bruxism, whilst also managing any presenting jaw joint symptoms (TMJ).
At Beacon Dental Sleep Medicine, assessment is with a Certified Dental Sleep Medicine Specialist, who works closely with your Medical team.
Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy:
- Can treat mild and moderate sleep apnoea, where patient suitability has been confirmed
- Comfortable, easy to wear
- Quiet and portable, suitable for travel
- Non-invasive and discreet
- High patient adherence to the treatment, established by post placement repeat sleep test
- Often leads to better sleep quality, fewer awakenings, and improved daytime energy in the treatment of mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnoea
Your care pathway at Beacon Dental Sleep Medicine
- Specialist assessment – Medical history, dental/sleep evaluation, and review of prior sleep testing data
- Custom device fitting – we design and fit custom oral appliance devices, tailored to each individual patient’s needs.
- Titration of the device system, adjusted to mitigate any potential complications associated with dental or jaw joint concerns – managed, step-wise precise adjustments by suitably qualified and experienced clinicians in the management of oral appliance therapy to reach optimal therapeutic position to manage precise symptoms
- Follow-up sleep testing – confirm effectiveness and refine positioning, in conjunction with your Medical Consultant and/or General Practitioner
- Ongoing sleep apnoea care – detailed review appointments to maintain comfort, identify and mitigate any potential side effects associated with jaw joint or dental issues and monitor and liaise with medical colleagues in the management of ongoing patient care.
If you have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnoea, Snore or cannot tolerate CPAP, Oral Appliance Therapy may be an option for you. Please discuss with your doctor and
Contact us to book a consultation: Beacon Dental Sleep Medicine
Suite 1 & 2, Beacon Consultants Clinic, Sandyford, Dublin 18
Phone: 01 213 5644
Email: info@beacondentalsleep.ie