“What are the different types of oral appliances used to treat sleep apnea?”
I have sleep apnea. What are the different types of oral appliances used to treat sleep apnea?
2 Answers
InternalMedicine|SleepMedicineSleepMedicineSpecialist
There are two main types of oral appliances for treating sleep apnea:
Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) – These move the lower jaw slightly forward to keep the airway open. They are the most common type and resemble a sports mouthguard.
Tongue Retaining Devices (TRDs) – These hold the tongue in place to prevent it from blocking the airway, useful for people with tongue-related obstruction.
Both types are custom-fitted by a dentist or sleep specialist and are recommended for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) – These move the lower jaw slightly forward to keep the airway open. They are the most common type and resemble a sports mouthguard.
Tongue Retaining Devices (TRDs) – These hold the tongue in place to prevent it from blocking the airway, useful for people with tongue-related obstruction.
Both types are custom-fitted by a dentist or sleep specialist and are recommended for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Oral appliance devices are only appropriate for mild to moderate sleep apnea. Once your sleep physician writes you a prescription for an OAD, a sleep dentist would discuss the options with you.
