A sleep apnea mouth guard is an alternative to sleep study prescribed continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy that many find uncomfortable for daily use.
Do Mouth Guards Work for Sleep Apnea?
Mouth guards can work for upper airway sleep apnea symptoms if the type is OSA, the most common type of sleep disorder. Central sleep apnea (CSA) is more complicated. The rare condition is caused by failed signaling from the brain. Often, underlying medical conditions are also at play with CSA. How much does a sleep apnea mouth guard cost? A simple sleep apnea mouth guard can cost under $100, but it won’t do much for your sleep apnea. Customized solutions may cost in the thousands but are more effective in treating symptoms. Your insurance may cover some, none, or all of a dental solution to your sleep apnea. Your dentist’s office will contact your insurance provider on your behalf and address coverage options with you. There are several types of anti-snoring mouth guards out there. Some of these treatment options are more effective than others when it comes to sleep apnea, and some aren’t suitable for sleep apnea at all. Note: If your sleep apnea is caused by a condition like tongue-tie or other underlying conditions, your physician, sleep specialist, or dentist’s office will develop a treatment plan to address those issues first.
- Over-the-counter mouth guards: These simple mouth guards are more suitable for treating bruxism, or teeth clenching, and teeth grinding. A sports mouthguard is for specialized sports use and is meant to protect your teeth and soft tissues in your mouth.
- Oral splint: An oral or occlusal splint works by protecting the mouth from bad habits while you sleep, including teeth grinding. It is not an effective treatment for sleep apnea.
- Mandibular advancement device (MAD): MADs work by temporarily moving the lower jaw forward to improve airway space. The concern is that a MAD fails to address the underlying causes of sleep apnea and is not a permanent solution.
- Tongue-retaining device (TRD): A TRD works by holding your tongue forward to prevent snoring and sleep apnea symptoms caused by a large tongue. While it’s easier for some to tolerate than a CPAP machine, it also does not address the root causes of sleep apnea.
A daytime-nighttime appliance, or DNA appliance, is often lumped into the same category as mouth guards, but it goes beyond most devices to address the underlying cause of OSA. This FDA-approved dental appliance is a non-surgical way to widen your dental arches gradually. It works by giving your tongue room in your mouth, a common reason why your airflow is blocked as you sleep.
