Can I use oral appliances for treating sleep apnoea?
Ravi Singareddy, MD
Assistant Professor,
Sleep Research & Treatment Center, Department of Psychiatry,
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine,
USA
Assistant Professor,
Sleep Research & Treatment Center, Department of Psychiatry,
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine,
USA
Q: I wish to know about the availability of oral appliances for treating obstructive sleep apnoea?
A:Oral appliances may be beneficial for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. However, their efficacy in terms of controlling sleep apnea is less than CPAP. Further, only way to make sure if the oral appliance is working for you or not is to have a sleep study after you have an oral appliance fitted/implanted. These appliances should be customised to each individual as the oral anatomy of each of us is different. Please speak with local physicians specializing in sleep apnea to find the names of dentists who might be able to make one for you.