What to Know When Getting an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is, as you may very well know already, a rather common sleep disorder that affects a lot of people worldwide. Basically, it occurs when your breathing tends to repeatedly stop during sleep, which leads to loud snoring, as well as poor quality of sleep and daytime fatigue, and sometimes even to some more serious health risks if it is left untreated. Learn more about it.

Now, you may have also heard about those CPAP machines, because they are the most widely known and available treatment option. They can really be extremely helpful, but they also tend to be quite uncomfortable. Yet, this is a price that most people are willing to pay when it comes to their health, and to the idea of getting a good night’s rest.

A lot of patients are, however, nowadays turning to oral appliances for sleep apnea, as those have turned out to be a more comfortable solution. Oral appliance therapy, known as OAT, consists of you wearing a custom dental device during the night in order to keep the airway open. It is often recommended for people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, as well as for those people that cannot tolerate the CPAP machines.

Now, if you are considering trying this type of a treatment, there is absolutely no denying the fact that you will want to know more about it before you, well, go for it. And, there are clearly some important things to understand here, so keep on reading to get answers to some significant questions that are probably on your mind right now. Without much more ado, thus, let us get started.

What Are Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea?

Clearly, we are going to begin with the very basics here. Sure, you are probably interested in finding out about the cost of oral appliance for sleep apnea, so as to know what to expect in terms of the prices, and we will get to that at one point. But first, you want to know what these appliances are.

As mentioned already, we are talking about a custom-made dental device that is worn in the mouth during the night in order to keep your airway open. It works by gently moving your lower jaw forward to prevent the airway from being blocked during the night. Repositioning the tongue and the jaw, the appliance helps keep the airway clear, thus reducing snoring and breathing interruptions.

How to Get It?

How can you get this device, though? Well, in the simplest words possible, this process absolutely involves several steps and typically requires a collaboration between a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine and a sleep physician. First, you get diagnosed, and then you consult with a specialist that will evaluate your teeth, the jaw alignment and the airway to determine the best device. After that, a custom-fitted appliance is made, and it is adjusted for comfort and effectiveness over time, meaning that follow up visits are often necessary to ensure that everything is working properly.

How Much Does It Cost?

As mentioned previously, you are probably curious about the costs of these devices. And, well, the truth is that the prices can vary depending on several factors, such as the customization level, as well as, of course, the provider. Typically, you can expect these to cost anywhere between $1,500 and $4,500. And the costs often include everything from the initial consultation to the follow-up adjustments.

Is It Covered by Insurance?

Okay, there is absolutely one more thing you want to know when it comes to the cost of these appliances. In short, you are wondering if these are covered by medical insurance. And the truth is that they often are. This is an FDA-approved treatment and it is often covered by many medical insurance plans. The coverage will, however, depend on things like confirmation of sleep apnea through a study, a prescription from a physician, and similar, so you may need to check the conditions before going through with this.

Read a bit more about sleep apnea in general: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/always-tired-you-may-have-sleep-apnea 

What to Expect from This Kind of Therapy?

What can you expect from this type of therapy, though? Well, apart from the fact that the oral appliances are small, comfortable and easy to travel with, they also operate completely silently, which makes them even more comfortable both for you as the patient and your sleep partner. Then, given that they are so easy to use, patient compliance is sure to be higher. And, of course, when fitted properly, these are sure to be effective.

What to Know About Long-Term Maintenance and Replacement?

Here is the final thing to know. These devices are not a one-time purchase. You have to regularly monitor their functioning and fit, and to maintain them properly and replace when necessary. Most of these last several years, but routine checkups are necessary to confirm if the treatment is effective, or if adjustments are necessary.