An oral sleep apnea appliance does not cure snoring or sleep apnea. Instead, it reduces snoring and apnea episodes while you sleep. If your physician has suggested changes like sleeping only on your side or losing weight, you should continue to follow those instructions in addition to using the oral appliance. The combination will give you the best possible treatment results.
Prior to receiving your custom oral appliance, you must have a consultation appointment to evaluate the condition of your teeth and gums and discuss your treatment options. If you need any dental treatments, they should be completed before your appliance is made. Any major change to your teeth may require a new appliance, so it’s important to take care of any restorations or other dental treatments before proceeding with an oral appliance. If you do not have a general dentist, we have dentists on our team who can provide treatment for you. We can recommend someone near your home if you are coming from some distance away.
Normally, you will need two appointments to fabricate and fit your new appliance, followed by several appointments to adjust it and evaluate its effectiveness. Prior to your first appointment, we will generally do a pre-determination of benefits with your insurance company and confirm authorization from them before taking the final scans and impressions for your oral appliance.
Most insurance companies will pay for an oral appliance to treat obstructive sleep apnea, provided that your condition meets the minimum requirements. Most often, an AHI of 5 or greater and a demonstrated inability or unwillingness to use CPAP to treat your condition is sufficient.
