Oral Sleep Appliances

When sleep apnea has been diagnosed, there are a range of treatments available. While a CPAP mask or surgery are common treatments, a much less invasive alternative is use of an oral sleep appliance, which can be administered and treated at our dental sleep practice by Dr. Kushner.

Oral Sleep Appliances

Oral sleep appliances can be used as an alternative to a CPAP mask or surgery to treat obstructive sleep apnea. In fact, unless the patient is suffering from severe sleep apnea, oral appliances are as effective as the CPAP mask. Sleep-related oral appliances look similar to orthodontic retainers and TMJ appliances. They attempt to dilate or open the airway by altering the position of the lower jaw and/or preventing the tongue from falling back.

Why patients prefer oral sleep appliances over the CPAP mask:

• Non-invasive, conservative treatment
• Easy to use
• Repositions the soft palate and stabilizes the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate, and uvula
• Increased muscle tone, pharyngeal and genioglossus muscle activity
• Moderate cost compared to other treatments

Screening/Your First Visit

Upon your first visit as a sleep apnea patient, Dr. Kushner will perform a complete screening diagnosis to identify the appropriate treatment.

• Complete medical/dental history
• Intraoral exam
• Checking upper airway for obstruction
• TMJ disorder/occlusal exam
• Measurement of throat and nasal airway via rhinometer and pharyngometer testing

How does the appliance work to help manage snoring/sleep apnea?

An oral appliance is a small plastic device that fits over the upper and lower teeth, similar to an orthodontic retainer or mouth guard. The appliance is worn in the mouth during sleep to prevent the soft tissues of the throat from collapsing and obstructing the airway. Oral appliances work by slightly advancing the lower jaw which in turn moves the base of the tongue forward and opens the airway to allow improved breathing and reduced snoring and apneas during sleep.

What percentage of people find the appliance to be effective?

If the problem is snoring only, the appliance is approximately 85% effective. When treating apnea, the appliance is 65-70% effective, depending on the severity of the apnea. The appliance tends to be more effective for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea than for severe cases.

How many visits are involved with the appliance?

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To schedule an appointment at our Irvine office, please fill out the request form below. We will make our best effort to book your appointment within your preferred appointment time. We will call to confirm your appointment time upon receiving your request. You may also call or email us at (949) 833-8020 or office@brownkushner.com. All appointments are at our Irvine Dental Office in Orange County, CA. Preferred Date & Time: See Available Dates 8/9/2010 Monday8/10/2010 Tuesday8/11/2010 Wednesday8/12/2010 Thursday8/16/2010 Monday8/17/2010 Tuesday8/18/2010 Wednesday8/19/2010 Thursday8/23/2010 Monday8/24/2010 Tuesday8/25/2010 Wednesday8/26/2010 Thursday Select Time 7:00 - 9:00am 9:00 - 11:00am 12:00 - 2:00pm 2:00 - 4:00pm First Name: Last Name: Daytime Phone: Alternate Phone: Email: Sleep apnea patient? Yes Comments:    * All fields are required To receive your $25 discount, simply complete the information below. Once submitted, your coupon will appear and be ready to print. This offer is available for all new patients at our Irvine Dental Office location in Orange County, CA. First Name: * Last Name: * Daytime Phone: * Email: * Click here to request a call to answer any questions or help schedule an appointment    * (asterisk) denotes a required field We respect your email privacy. We promise to never sell, barter or rent your email address to any unauthorized third party. Please call us at (949) 833-8020 for immediate assistance. Address: 16100 Sand Canyon Avenue, Suite 380 Irvine, CA 92618 Phone: (949) 833-8020 Fax: (949) 833-3862 E-mail us at: office@brownkushner.com. Driving directions Map Office Hours:  Monday through Thursday from, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.