Oral Appliance Therapy
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can cause heavy snoring, sleep disruptions, depression, and affect your overall health.
Using oral appliance therapy, Dr. Vincent Ip can treat mild‑to‑moderate cases of this common sleep disorder.
Learn why people throughout Austin, TX, come to Smile 360™ for this simple CPAP alternative.
How an Oral Appliance Helps You Breathe at Night
Who Should Consider Oral Appliance Therapy? Candidates for Treatment
Mild to Moderate Cases
Oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. This means you are suffering anywhere from five to 30 episodes in which you stop breathing per night.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Central sleep apnea (CSA), a much rarer form of the condition, is caused by lapses in neurological activity. If you have central sleep apnea, you will require a different approach to treatment than an oral appliance.
Oral Appliances vs. CPAP Comparing Treatment Options
/
CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. A person wears a mask that fits over their nose and/or mouth, and the CPAP device pushes a continuous stream of air to keep breathing passages open during sleep. While CPAP therapy can be effective, some patients may achieve comparable results simply by wearing a custom oral appliance.
Do You Want to Treat Your Snoring and Sleep Apnea? Contact Dr. Ip to Learn More
If heavy snoring and obstructive sleep apnea affect your ability to get a good night's sleep, Dr. Ip can help. Our team can craft a custom oral appliance to relieve mild-to-moderate OSA. This simple oral device means you can avoid using a CPAP machine and the need for more invasive sleep apnea therapy.
People diagnosed with central sleep apnea, complex sleep apnea, or severe OSA may not be candidates for an appliance, but we can still find solutions for their problems. Smile 360 can work with your ENT or sleep medicine specialist to develop a multi-disciplinary treatment plan. Your health and wellness will always be our top priority.
To learn more about non-invasive treatments for OSA, contact our practice online. You can also reach our office in Austin, TX, by phone.
Call Smile 360
(512) 444-4746
We Care About Everyone We Meet Proudly Serving the People of Austin
Carolyn Knudtson
2021
Warm, welcoming, and friendly staff greeted and treated us like family! The hygienist and dentist were knowledgeable, thorough, and thoughtful. I highly recommend Smile 360. It was an amazing first dentist experience for my son. They exceeded our expectations. Thank you!!!
View on GoogleChristina Blaisdell
2021
I've been a patient at Smile 360 for the three years I've lived in Austin. The team is fantastic, efficient and friendly; the office is conveniently located as well as nice and comfortable; and they keep my teeth looking good! My husband is also a satisfied patient. Would recommend!
View on GoogleYour oral appliance is customized to your bite for the greatest benefit.
Our Oral Appliances Are Custom-Fit For a Comfortable Night's Sleep
Is Oral Appliance Therapy Covered by Insurance?
/
Health insurance will typically cover oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea. The nature and extent of the coverage can vary. Be sure to check with your insurance provider for more information about eligibility and the amount of coverage available. We can help you gather the necessary paperwork to assist with the filing process.
The Oral Appliance Therapy Process What Patients Can Expect
Let's guide you through the basic steps of oral appliance therapy.
If needed, we can develop an advanced sleep apnea therapy plan by coordinating with your ENT or sleep physician.
Monitoring Your Progress
Our Austin office uses the Axeos Sirona 3D imaging scanner. This sophisticated technology allows us to take pictures of your airways to show your obstruction. Additionally, this same technology can show us the results of your oral appliance therapy.
Long-Term Sleep Apnea Relief Making the Benefits Last
/
Wearing your oral appliance as directed isn't the only thing you can do to ensure lasting success. We may suggest the following lifestyle changes to help manage your sleep apnea and improve your overall health:
- Eat a balanced diet
- Remain physically active
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Change your sleeping position
- Quit smoking
- Avoid alcohol consumption
In addition to traditional oral appliances for sleep apnea, we offer another CPAP alternative that can achieve lasting relief from OSA.
Vivos Airway Health Another Step Forward in Sleep Apnea Treatment
Traditional oral appliances for sleep apnea hold the structures of your mouth in optimal position through the night to promote unobstructed breathing. Vivos Airway Health takes this concept to the next level.
Combining elements of sleep dentistry and orthodontics, the Vivos Airway Health system helps permanently shift the position of different structures of your mouth. By altering the shape and position of the palate over many months, we can achieve lasting improvement of airflow and breathing during sleep.
The Vivos appliance has helped many people improve their ability to breathe normally through the night without any interruptions.
Achieve a Good Night's Sleep
WITH ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY IN AUSTIN
A simple oral appliance may be all that separates you from improved quality of life for yourself and your whole family.
Smile 360 patients are happy to discover that it typically takes only two or three weeks of consistent use to become accustomed to their oral appliance and the benefits can last a lifetime!
If you think you could benefit from oral appliance therapy, we invite you to contact our Austin office:
(512) 444-4746
Tired of Feeling Tired?
Dedicated to Patient-Centered Care A Dentist Trusted Throughout Austin
Angela Murphy
2021
I cannot say enough positive things about Dr. Ip and his entire staff. Dr. Ip explains things so so well and really wants his patients to understand what is going on along with options for treatment and care. If I could give more than 5 stars I would! Highly recommend!!
View on GoogleAngel Avery
2020
The staff here is always professional and knowledgeable. I always feel welcomed, engaged and heard. Their protocols to prevent the spread of Covid are GREAT! I felt completely secure knowing they are diligently taking precautions to negate the possibility of any germ or virus transfer. Thank you!
View on GoogleThe Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
You may notice that the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, such as forgetfulness and irritability, follow you throughout the day. However, you may suffer from additional symptoms at night, such as:
- Episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
- Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping
- Excessive snoring
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headaches
In many cases, patients who have obstructive sleep apnea don't recognize the symptoms, but their bed partners do. If your partner expresses concerns over the symptoms of sleep apnea, it may be time for you to consider treatment options.
Understanding the Complications of Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea
When left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious physical and mental conditions, including:
- Depression
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular problems
- Type 2 diabetes
- Stroke
Many patients who have these conditions may not make the connection to sleep apnea. Dr. Ip in Austin can help you overcome your symptoms, which may help prevent these dangerous conditions.
Living With Sleep Apnea Can Be Dangerous
Sleep apnea can make it difficult to focus throughout the day, which can potentially put yourself and others in danger.
Though sleep apnea can lead to dangerous situations, oral appliance therapy has many benefits.
The Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy
In addition to being a comfortable alternative to a CPAP machine, consistently using an oral appliance designed by Dr. Ip at Smile 360 in Austin can result in several benefits, such as:
Better sleep quality
Decreased snoring
Improved focus during the day
Elevated mood
Better sleep for your bed partner and family members
"Highly skilled"
Ewan Speirs
2021
The Smile360 team are the best in town, it's just that simple. Dr Ip is meticulous in his attention to detail, quality of care and overall customer experience. The wider 360 team are always super helpful and accommodating, each are dedicated highly skilled practitioners in their own right.
View on GoogleSarah Grover
2021
These are some of my favorite humans, and I’ve actually enjoyed every visit I have had with Dr. Ip and the team here for the past 3 years. If I move out of the city I will be traveling back for my dental appointments; that’s how serious I am. 10/10 recommend.
View on GoogleWho's at Risk for Developing Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Though anyone can develop obstructive sleep apnea, certain factors can increase your likelihood of having the condition, including:
- Being male
- Being older
- Being overweight
- Narrow airways
- High blood pressure
- Certain medical conditions like asthma and diabetes
- Certain habits like smoking
- A family history of sleep apnea
Lifestyle changes can help you mitigate some of these risk factors, but we recommend using an oral appliance in combination with them.
