How does the dental appliance work for sleep apnea? When should I prescribe it?
Airway dilators (also referred to as dental devices or oral appliances), originally developed to correct occlusal disorders, have been approved by the FDA to treat sleep disordered breathing. These devices, inserted intraorally at night, anteriorly displace the mandible and tongue, enlarging the retroglossal space and reducing upper airway obstruction. The airway dilator can be constructed in a laboratory from impressions prepared in a dental office. Airway dilator treatment is generally well tolerated, safe, reversible and cost effective.
