Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) Work?
Oral Appliance Therapy, or OAT for short, uses a special mouthguard. This mouthguard changes the position of your jaw when you sleep, which prevents oral tissue from sagging into your airway. This means that your breathing won’t be interrupted at night. OAT is ideal for patients with minor-to-moderate apnea.
What Else Can I Do To Treat Sleep Apnea?
Your sleep specialist and your orthodontist may make some lifestyle recommendations to help with sleep apnea. These may include quitting smoking, exercising, losing weight, avoiding alcohol (especially before bed), and sleeping on your side, rather than on your back or your stomach.
What Is A CPAP?
CPAP is short for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. This is a type of machine that pumps a steady, gentle stream of pressurized air into your airway through a face mask. This stream prevents your airway tissue from collapsing, which prevents sleep apnea. CPAPs are usually recommended for patients with more severe apnea.