Other Treatments

Oral appliances, also called dental appliances or devices, may be an option for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends dental devices for patients with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea who are not appropriate candidates for CPAP or who have not been helped by it. (CPAP should be used for patients with severe sleep apnea whenever possible.)

Several different dental devices are available. A trained dental professional such as a dentist or orthodontist should fit these devices. Devices include:

  • Mandibular advancement device (MAD). This is the most widely used dental device for sleep apnea. It is similar in appearance to a sports mouth guard. MAD forces the lower jaw forward and down slightly, which keeps the airway open.
  • Tongue retraining device (TRD). This is a splint that holds the tongue in place to keep the airway as open as possible.

Patients fitted with one of these devices should have a check-up early on to see if it is working; short-term success usually predicts long-term benefits. It may need to be adjusted or replaced periodically.

Benefits of Mandibular Advancement Device

MAD and similar devices seem to offer the following benefits:

  • Significant reduction in apneas for those with mild-to-moderate apnea, particularly if patients sleep either on their backs or stomachs. They do not work as well if patients lie on their side. The devices may also improve airflow for some patients with severe apnea.
  • Improvement in sleep in many patients.
  • Improvement and reduction in the frequency of snoring and loudness of snoring in most (but not all) patients.
  • Higher compliance rates than with CPAP.

According to a 2006 review, dental devices help control sleep apnea in 52% of treated patients. A 2002 report indicated that long-term use of a dental device achieved an 81% success rate in apnea improvement, which was significantly higher than the 53% success rate noted for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), the standard surgical treatment. There were also few complications with the dental device.

Disadvantages of Dental Devices

Dental devices, including MAD, are not as effective as CPAP therapy. The cost of these devices tends to be high. Side effects associated with dental devices include:

  • Nighttime pain, dry lips, tooth discomfort, and excessive salivation. In general, these side effects are mild, although over the long term nearly half of patients stop using dental devices because of them. Devices made of softer materials may produce fewer side effects.
  • Permanent changes in the position of the teeth or jaw have occurred in some cases of long-term use. Patients should have regular visits with a health professional to check the devices and make adjustments.
  • In a small percentage of patients, the treatment may worsen apnea. Patients should be monitored with polysomnography (sleep lab evaluation) before and after therapy and when apnea symptoms worsen or recur.

Orthodontal Treatments

An orthodontic treatment called rapid maxillary expansion, in which a screw device is temporarily applied to the upper teeth and tightened regularly, may help patients with sleep apnea and a narrow upper jaw. This nonsurgical procedure helps to reduce nasal pressure and improve breathing.