Sleep Apnea Mouthpieces and the Dentists Who Make Them
This page is general information. It is not medical advice. Talk to your clinician about your own health. If you have chest pain, signs of a stroke or severe trouble breathing, call 911 or go to an emergency room.
People search for a sleep apnea appliance near them and land on dental offices. That is fair, because dentists do make these devices. But a mouthpiece is a treatment, and a treatment comes after a diagnosis. This is a guide to what the device is and what to ask. It is not medical advice.
What the Device Is
NHLBI describes two main kinds of oral device for sleep apnea. One is a mandibular repositioning mouthpiece, which holds the lower jaw forward. The other is a tongue retaining device. Both are meant to keep the airway more open during sleep. NHLBI says they are custom fitted by dental professionals.
Custom is the key word. A boil and bite guard from a drugstore is made to protect teeth from grinding. It is not built to treat sleep apnea. Our guide on what to do when you cannot tolerate CPAP answers the online mouthguard question in more detail.
Who These Devices Are For
NHLBI lists oral devices for people who cannot tolerate positive airway pressure. Some people with milder sleep apnea also talk with their clinicians about them. Whether one fits you depends on your test results, your teeth and jaw and your health. That is a decision for your sleep physician and your dentist together.
The Role of the Dentist
A dentist can look at your teeth, gums and jaw to see if a device is safe for you. They take impressions or scans, order the device and adjust it over time. A good dental sleep practice also keeps in touch with the physician who diagnosed you.
What a dentist should not do is diagnose sleep apnea on their own from a quick look in your mouth. NHLBI says a sleep study is how the type and severity are learned.
Questions to Ask the Dentist
- Do I need a sleep study first, and who will read it?
- Is the device custom made, and what is it called?
- How will you adjust it, and how many visits does that take?
- How will we check that it is working, such as a repeat sleep test?
- What side effects should I watch for, and who do I call?
- What does it cost, and will insurance cover any of it?
Cleveland Clinic lists mouthpieces among the options for snoring, so you will hear the term often. The questions above help you tell a careful practice from a sales pitch.
Common Things People Notice
Any device that moves your jaw can feel strange at first. Ask the dentist what is normal and what is a reason to call. Do not tough out pain or bite changes without telling them.
Why Follow up Matters
It is easy to feel better and stop checking. But NHLBI says untreated sleep apnea raises the risk of serious problems, so you want proof that the device works for you, not just a feeling. Ask for a plan before you leave the first visit.
How a Mouthpiece Fits Into the Bigger Picture
A mouthpiece is one tool, not the only one. NHLBI lists positive airway pressure as the most common treatment, then oral devices, lifestyle changes, exercises, medicine and surgery. A sleep physician usually helps you sort out where a device sits on that list for you.
Some people use more than one thing at once. For example, a person may use a mouthpiece and also work on weight and sleep position. NHLBI says healthy lifestyle changes can be very effective. Your clinicians can help you decide what mix makes sense.
Red Flags to Watch For
- A promise to cure sleep apnea without any testing
- Pressure to sign up for payment the same day
- No plan for adjustments or a check after you start
- A refusal to talk to your physician or share records
- A device sold by mail with no exam of your mouth
None of these prove a practice is bad. They are reasons to slow down and ask more questions. If something feels off, get a second opinion from another dentist or from your sleep physician.
Last, keep your own records. Save the name of the device, the dentist, the date it was fitted and any test results before and after. If you move or change dentists, those papers save time. They also help your sleep physician see whether the treatment is doing its job over the long run.
Finding a Dentist Through NightWells
Some listings in our directory are dental practices that work with sleep apnea. We list them the same way as clinics. We do not rate dentists by skill, and a listing is not an endorsement. Use the city pages to see who is near you, then call and ask the questions above.
Common Questions
Can I get a sleep apnea mouthpiece without a sleep study?
You can ask, but a careful dentist will want a diagnosis first. NHLBI says a sleep study is how the type and severity of sleep apnea are learned. Without it, nobody knows if the device is right for you.
Is a sleep apnea mouthpiece the same as a night guard?
No. A night guard protects teeth from grinding. NHLBI describes sleep apnea devices as custom fitted pieces that move the jaw or hold the tongue. Ask the dentist what the exact device is and what it is meant to treat.
Keep Reading
- What to do when you cannot tolerate CPAP
- Signs you should be tested
- Sleep apnea providers in Lansing
- Sleep apnea providers in Novi
- Sleep apnea providers in Louisville
- Find a provider with our lookup
Sources
- NHLBI, Sleep Apnea Treatment
- NHLBI, Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
- Cleveland Clinic, Snoring
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Sleep Apnea
NightWells publishes information, not medical advice. Nothing here replaces being seen by a clinician who can examine you.
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