Snoring, Sleep Apnea, and an Alternative to CPAP: Oral Appliance Therapy
What is obstructive sleep apnea?
OSA is a physical airway problem. During sleep, the soft tissues at the back of the throat collapse, briefly blocking airflow. The brain partially wakes the body to restart breathing — sometimes hundreds of times a night — fragmenting sleep and stressing the cardiovascular system.
Why so many patients abandon CPAP
CPAP is highly effective in theory, but real-world adherence is a problem. Patients describe it as cumbersome, claustrophobic, loud, hard to travel with, and disruptive to a partner. Many give up within months.
How oral appliance therapy works
A custom-fit oral appliance gently positions the lower jaw forward during sleep, opening the airway. It looks similar to an athletic mouth guard, is worn only at night, and travels easily. There is no mask, no machine, no hose.
Who is a candidate?
Adults with mild-to-moderate OSA, those who cannot tolerate CPAP, or those with primary snoring are typical candidates. Severe OSA can also be managed with oral appliance therapy in selected patients, often as part of a combination approach with the patient's sleep doctor.
What to expect from fitting
We take precise impressions and design the appliance for your jaw. After delivery, we titrate the position over follow-up visits to optimize comfort and effectiveness — confirmed with sleep testing where indicated.
Further reading: American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
Specialty care from Dr. Abigail Schmidt — Richmond, MI.
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