ORAL APPLIANCES

At Carefree Dentists, we are very familiar with sleep apnea and are experts in oral appliances that can help many patients address their individual sleep apnea condition.

Oral appliances are intended to treat sleep apnea by keeping the airway open in one of three ways: pushing the lower jaw forward (a mandibular advancement device), preventing the tongue from falling back over the airway (a tongue-retaining device), or by combining both mechanisms.

Oral appliances are typically most effective for people with mild sleep apnea and for non-obese people. The most common type of oral appliance, a mandibular advancement device, is often adjustable so that the dentist can move the jaw further or reduce the advancement as necessary. The goal is to find the most comfortable and effective position for the patient.