What is Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) with Mandibular Repositioning Device (MRD) ?

Your mandibular repositioning device (MRD) oral appliance is a small, sleek 2 piece orthotic that you wear in your mouth each time you sleep. It looks similar to a set of clear retainers connected together. But it serves a different purpose entirely. Instead of only protecting your teeth, this is a custom oral appliance that repositions your jaw to make more room in your throat airway for oxygen to get through.

How MRD Oral Appliance Therapy Works

MRD oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea requires nothing except you cleaning and wearing it. It doesn’t need electricity or distilled water to work, so you can feel free to take your oral appliance on your next camping trip, pop it in on your next long plane ride, or fall asleep on the couch with it in. Simply rinse your oral appliance after each time you wear it, and that’s all there is to it.

But how does an oral appliance work to treat obstructive sleep apnea? Obstructive sleep apnea occurs because of an intermittent blockage in the throat airway that doesn’t allow air to pass through. In many cases, this blockage is either throat tissue or your tongue. When your throat tissue or tongue relaxes during sleep, it falls back to partially or fully obstruct your airway. It’s not the same for everyone, but some reasons why this happens could be small jaws that crowd the tongue, a naturally small airway, a loose / collapsible airway, a malocclusion, sleep aids, or repeated alcohol, nicotine, and drug use.

Whatever the reason, oral appliance therapy repositions your lower jaw forward to make more room in your airway. You might be thinking, “What about TMJ disorder?” Developing TMJ disorder is uncommon with oral appliance therapy, especially when you choose a neuromuscular dentist in Kansas City. Dr. Raman treats TMJ disorder, too. So, you could potentially treat both OSA and TMD problems at the same time!

Rather than just protrude the lower jaw out and take a bite relation, as is most commonly done for Oral Appliance therapy with Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD),  Dr. Raman first relaxes the jaw and neck muscles through Ultra Low Frequency TENS machines and then allows the jaw and neck to be “repositioned” to the jaw relation to which OAT is done.  Hence, a Mandibular Repositioning Device is more comfortable to wear since the muscles are not strained and the TMJ joints are comfortable as well.

Dental Sleep Medicine Expertise in Kansas City

Dr. Prabu Raman, a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), specializes in dental sleep medicine. He has extensive experience treating patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using MRD oral appliance therapy. His expertise ensures that patients receive customized, effective treatment to improve their sleep and overall health.

Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy

Oral appliance therapy has many benefits.

  • Comfortable to wear.
  • Easy to carry with you.
  • Easy to travel with on a plane.
  • You aren’t restricted to only places with electricity and distilled water.
  • Easy to clean.
  • No noise when you use it.
  • Stops snoring.
  • Your partner’s sleep won’t be disturbed.
  • Cost-effective.
  • Can be used as a stand-in occasionally for severe sleep apnea (say, if you’re camping).
  • Effective sleep apnea treatment for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

Is Oral Appliance Therapy Right for Me?

It’s natural to wonder if this comfortable and silent sleep treatment is as good as it sounds and if it’ll really work for you. The truth is that oral appliance therapy won’t work for everyone. Ask yourself these questions to get an idea of whether oral appliance therapy will work for you.

  • Do you have obstructive sleep apnea?
    • Yes: An oral appliance may work for you.
    • No: If you have central or complex sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy won’t.
  • Do you have severe sleep apnea?
    • Yes: An oral appliance is not your most effective choice but may work as a stand-in on occasion or as a combination therapy.  MRD to open the airway enough so that less pressure is needed for the PAP machine making it more tolerable and effective.  .
    • No: Oral appliance therapy could work well for you if you have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Can you tolerate a CPAP?
    • Yes: If your CPAP works well for you and your partner and you use it each time you sleep, feel free to stick with your CPAP.
    • No: If your CPAP keeps you or your partner from sleeping or if it’s causing adverse side effects like bloating or a dry mouth, try switching to an MRD  oral appliance.
  • Do you travel frequently?
    • Yes: Give oral appliance therapy a try. It’s easy to bring with you anywhere.
    • No: You don’t have to travel frequently to enjoy the benefits of a simple and effective sleep treatment. Oral appliance therapy can work for you.
  • Is cost an obstacle to your sleep apnea treatment?
    • Yes: Oral appliance therapy might work for you. It’s cost-effective and long-lasting.
    • No: If cost isn’t an obstacle, choose the sleep treatment that’ll best treat your type and severity of sleep apnea and your lifestyle.

If you’re unsure or would like more information, set up a consultation with Kansas City sleep dentist, Dr. Prabu Raman.

How Effective is Oral Appliance Therapy?

Oral appliance therapy is effective at treating mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. In clinical studies, it’s not as effective as a CPAP machine. However, in real-life applications, it’s just as effective, if not more, because it’s easier to comply with. The compliance rate for a CPAP machine is only about 40%, while the compliance rate for an oral appliance is 80%.

Many patients who were prescribed a CPAP machine don’t wear it and continue to struggle with obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Raman has helped countless patients switch to an oral appliance and finally get the sound sleep they’ve been longing for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mouth, dental, or oral appliances for sleep apnea are devices worn in the mouth during sleep to keep the airway open. These appliances reposition the jaw or tongue to prevent airway obstruction.

Treating sleep apnea with a dental appliance involves wearing a custom-fitted device each night. The appliance repositions your jaw to maintain an open airway, reducing or eliminating symptoms of sleep apnea.

Look for dentists who are Diplomates of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (D-ABDSM) and have experience in dental sleep medicine. Dr. Prabu Raman in Kansas City is one such dentist with extensive expertise in this field.

You can treat sleep apnea without a CPAP mask by using an MRD oral appliance. These devices are comfortable, portable, and do not require electricity or distilled water, making them an excellent CPAP alternative.

Mandibular Repositioning Device (MRD) Oral appliance therapy does not typically change your face. These appliances are designed to be comfortable and discreet, providing effective treatment without altering your appearance.

Understanding Dental Sleep Medicine

Dental sleep medicine focuses on using oral appliances to treat sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea. These devices help keep the airway open by adjusting the position of the jaw and tongue, preventing soft tissue from collapsing and blocking the airway during sleep.

Are you looking for oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea? Call to make an appointment with our Kansas City neuromuscular dentist at (816) 436-4422.