--- title: How do Dental Devices Treat Sleep Apnea? description: Dental devices are used to treat sleep apnea by keeping tissue from blocking the airway. How effective are oral appliances? image: https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hub/299691/file-2645597633.jpg --- **[![ASMS_logo_shadow_round](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png?width=200&name=ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png "ASMS_logo_shadow_round")](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/)** **Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc.** The Sleep Experts`®` (877) 775-3377 ## Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ### *We believe that education is the first step to finding better sleep. Our articles educate people on sleep news, sleep disorders, and sleep care to help them achieve better health and live better lives. * *Thanks for joining the conversation.* ## [How do Dental Devices Treat Sleep Apnea?](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/dental-devices-treat-sleep-apnea) Posted by [Julia Steele Rodriguez](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/author/julia-steele-rodriguez) Find me on: [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/julia.steele818) [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/juliasteele) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/juliasteelerod) Mar 21, 2015 8:00:00 AM ![dental-device-sleep-apnea-treatment-1](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hub/299691/file-2645597633.jpg?width=537&name=file-2645597633.jpg) Do you remember having braces when you were little? Or have you ever had to wear a retainer at night? Then it will be easy for you to picture this type of sleep apnea treatment! Dental devices are appliances that are worn in the mouth during sleep to help you breathe better. Can a simple oral piece really prevent the effects of sleep apnea? # **Dental Devices to Treat Sleep Apnea** ## **How do they work? ** Sleep apnea is caused when tissue in the back of the throat, like the soft palate or the tongue, relaxes during sleep, obstructing the passage of air. The main purpose of dental devices is to keep this tissue from sagging into the windpipe. There are two main types: - **Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD):** This appliance looks a lot like an athletic mouth guard that fits over the top and bottom rows of teeth. It pushes the lower jaw forward and downward, which helps prevent blockage in the airway (see the diagram above). This is the more common treatment. - **Tongue Retraining Device (TRD):** This is a splint that holds the tongue in a forward position, preventing it from falling backward during sleep and obstructing the airway. ## **What are the advantages? ** Some people may find that a dental device is a more comfortable, easily adjustable means of sleep apnea treatment. Dental devices can be a valid treatment plan for people with mild sleep apnea. They are also much less invasive than oral surgery, the typical method of keeping excessive throat tissue from interfering with sleep. ## **What are the drawbacks? ** There are some other drawbacks to oral appliances. They can be pricey and cause dryness or discomfort at night. Also, long-term use could alter the positioning of the teeth. **Ultimately, dental devices are not as effective as CPAP treatment**. CPAP, the most common form of treatment, completely alleviates the symptoms of sleep apnea and can reverse the negative health effects of the sleep disorder. We recommend using a CPAP machine as a means of curing your symptoms and only using a dental device if you absolutely cannot commit to the necessary compliance. Sometimes, an oral device paired with a nasal CPAP machine is an effective combination to keep your airway completely clear. If you have sleep apnea, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Or, you can [contact us](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/contact) at [Advanced Sleep Medicine](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/); we can help you determine which type of treatment is best for you. **Do you use a dental device? How does it work for you? Comment to share your input!** ** ** Photo Credit: [Resmed](http://www.resmed.com/us/en/healthcare-professional/products/dental.html) Topics: [Sleep Apnea](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-apnea), [Treating Sleep Apnea](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/treating-sleep-apnea) ## Share this blog post: [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fdental-devices-treat-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fdental-devices-treat-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fdental-devices-treat-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fdental-devices-treat-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=How%20do%20Dental%20Devices%20Treat%20Sleep%20Apnea%3F) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fdental-devices-treat-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fdental-devices-treat-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fdental-devices-treat-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Subscribe to Email Updates Search our blog Search ### Posts by Topic - [Children and Sleep (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/children-and-sleep) - [Coffee (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/coffee) - [CPAP Alternatives (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/cpap-alternatives) - [CPAP Supplies (9)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/cpap-supplies) - [CPAP Treatment (25)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/cpap-treatment) - [Diabetes (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/diabetes) - [Doctor's Opinion (4)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/doctors-opinion) - [Economics of Sleep Medicine (15)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/economics-of-sleep-medicine) - [Good Sleep Habits (59)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/good-sleep-habits) - [Health Insurance (20)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/health-insurance) - [Heart Disease (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/heart-disease) - [Insomnia (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/insomnia) - [Job-Related Sleep Disorders (7)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/job-related-sleep-disorders) - [Kids and Sleep (20)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/kids-and-sleep) - [Narcolepsy (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/narcolepsy) - [Preparing for your sleep study (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/preparing-for-your-sleep-study) - [Sex and Sleep (7)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sex-and-sleep) - [Sleep and Exercise (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-and-exercise) - [Sleep and Society (41)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-and-society) - [Sleep Apnea (60)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-apnea) - [Sleep Business (3)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-business) - [Sleep Disorders (30)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-disorders) - [Sleep Studies (30)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-studies) - [Telemedicine (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/telemedicine) - [Treating Sleep Apnea (29)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/treating-sleep-apnea) - [Women and Sleep (14)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/women-and-sleep) ### Most viewed posts ### Recent Posts **Contact Us:** Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc. 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With 20 locations across California, we are the leading provider of in-center and in-home (HST) sleep studies, PAP therapeutic devices, and replacement PAP supplies. We are contracted with more than 300 medical groups and commercial health plans. We partner with independent physicians who are at the forefront of the field of sleep medicine and together we provide high-quality, affordable, result-oriented and patient-centric diagnostic and therapeutic sleep medicine services. 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