What Types of Sleep Apnea Appliances Are Available?

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you might be examining your treatment options. CPAP has long been the standard; it is a machine that gently blows pressurized air through your mouth, ensuring that your airway doesn’t close while you’re snoozing. However, many people complain that CPAP is noisy, bulky, and uncomfortable. Fortunately, other sleep apnea appliances are available that may be able to help you breathe easier at night without all the drama.

The Dorsal Appliance

At Weatherford Dental Sleep Medicine, we offer several types of appliances that are designed to deliver the sleep apnea therapy that you need. All of them perform basically the same function: They reposition your lower jaw, thereby clearing your airway and helping you get all the precious Zs you deserve.

The Dorsal appliance is one of the products we provide. It stands out because of its convenient and comfortable two-part design, which allows patients to talk and yawn without removing it. It greatly resembles a normal mouth guard.

The Moses Appliance

The Moses appliance is popular because it allows plenty of room for your tongue, and you can easily close your lips while you’re wearing it. Its superior level of comfort is compounded by the fact that it is also useful for preventing bruxism (teeth grinding). Like the Dorsal, the Moses also has a convenient two-part design.

The Herbst Appliance

Since the time it first went to market, the Herbst appliance was used to treat orthodontic issues and problems with the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). However, more recently, experts have realized that it is also useful as a sleep apnea treatment.

The best thing about the Herbst is that it is adjustable, which means you are more likely to be comfortable while wearing it. It even allows patients to move their jaw up and down or even laterally.

The DreamTAP Appliance

Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP) appliances have long been at the forefront of the world of oral appliances for sleep apnea. The DreamTAP device takes the company’s genius to a new level by greatly heightening patient comfort. It allows for quite a bit more tongue space than other appliances, reducing the chances that you’ll feel like gagging.

Which Is Right for You?

Your sleep apnea appliance expert will chat with you about your treatment options. A particular device may be best for your situation, or you may have the freedom to choose for yourself.

Dr. Romack at Weatherford Dental Sleep Medicine is determined to help you sleep better, which is why, even a simple oral appliance doesn’t do the trick for you, she offers combined therapy, which involves both a CPAP and an oral appliance. The goal is always to help you get the rest you deserve!

Are you ready to breathe easier at night? Sleep apnea appliances might be the solution you’ve been looking for.

About the Dentist

Dr. Deborah Romack is an expert dentist who has taken extensive continuing education related to sleep apnea. If you would like to chat with her about your treatment options for this serious condition, please contact our office at 817-594-3806.