How Oral Appliances Help Treat Sleep Apnea

“Oral appliances can offer a simpler, effective alternative for managing sleep apnea, especially in mild to moderate cases as first-line treatment or for those who struggle with CPAP.”

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects millions of people and can lead to serious health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and daytime fatigue. While Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines are the gold standard treatment, many patients find them uncomfortable or difficult to use consistently. This is where oral appliances can offer a simpler, effective alternative for managing sleep apnea, especially in mild to moderate cases as first-line treatment or for those who struggle with CPAP.

Oral appliances, also called mandibular advancement devices (MADs), work by gently moving the lower jaw forward during sleep. This forward positioning helps open the airway and reduce airway collapse, which is what causes obstructive episodes when breathing during sleep. Studies consistently show these devices can lower the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), improve oxygen levels, and reduce symptoms like daytime sleepiness [1,2]. Plus, they are portable, easy to use and maintain, and less intrusive than CPAP machines, making them an attractive option for many patients.

Side effects of oral appliances are few and minor. Some patients may experience temporary jaw soreness, tooth discomfort, or changes in saliva flow. In a small subset of patients, long-term use may occasionally cause shifts in bite alignment or mild jaw joint discomfort, but these are generally preventable, along with regular dental follow-up and adjustments [3,4]. Morning jaw exercises and using a bite aligner for a few minute to reset your bite to how it was the night before can both go a long way in preventing bite changes.

At Oral Medicine of Wisconsin, we understand how disruptive sleep apnea can be to your health and daily life. We are dedicated to providing personalized care, including custom-fitted oral appliances designed to improve your breathing and quality of sleep. If you or a loved one struggles with sleep apnea and has difficulty tolerating CPAP, contact us to learn how oral appliance therapy can be a comfortable and effective treatment option tailored just for you.

References

[1] Uniken Venema, J. A. M., et al. (2021). Mandibular advancement device design: A systematic review on outcomes in obstructive sleep apnea treatment. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 17(3), 567–575.

[2] Gunel, E., et al. (2025). Current perspectives in treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with mandibular advancement devices: A narrative review. Current Pulmonology Reports, 14(6), 123–130.

[3] Murphy, M. P., et al. (2020). Adherence and side effects among patients treated with oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 16(4), 629–635.

[4] Levine, M., et al. (2022). Dental sleep medicine standards for screening, treating, and management of sleep-related breathing disorders in adults using oral appliance therapy. Journal of Dental Sleep Medicine, 9(4), 123–130