How do oral appliances work?

The main way that oral appliances work is by preventing the tissues at the back of the throat and the base of the tongue from collapsing back into the airway. An oral appliance holds the lower jaw a little forward which results in a significant increase in the size of the airway at the back of the tongue and palate, sufficient to prevent snoring and allow for a refreshing sleep. Custom made oral appliances fitted by a dentist allows for greater comfort and fine tuning to find the optimal position of the jaw that overcomes the snoring and sleep apnoea.

Effectiveness of oral appliances

Custom made oral appliances have been proven in studies to be 95% effective in overcoming problematic snoring. Oral appliances are now widely regarded as an effective front line treatment for sleep apnoea and are far more comfortable than a CPAP machine with significantly greater compliance. Learn more about the various oral appliances available.