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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

Do You Want to Treat Your Snoring and Sleep Apnea? Contact Dr. Ip in Austin, TX, to Learn More

Dr. Ip

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

5-Star Reviews for Smile 360 Proudly Serving the People of Austin

1

Morgan Donnelly

2023

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I've been coming here for a couple years and during each visit, every part of it goes smoothly. The staff seem to work really well together and it makes for a very comfortable, friendly, and personalized experience. They are also quick and knowledgeable, so I never end up waiting to be seen or have my questions answered. Definitely recommend this place!

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1

Michael Costa

2023

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The office staff, my dental hygienist, and Dr. Ip were all amazing. The level of care they provided, from the X-rays to the cleaning, and finally Dr. Ip’s recommendations, was beyond thorough and exceeded my expectations.  Can’t believe I’m about to write this but I’m actually looking forward to going back. I’ve been to a couple of dentists that absolutely wasted my time. Not Smile 360. Don’t hesitate to make an appointment- you won’t be disappointed.

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Not Sure You Need
an Oral Appliance?

Explore the 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.

illustration of the airway path

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.

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.

Have 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

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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.

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?

Dentist and patient
Dr. Ip works with patients to determine if oral appliance therapy is the right solution and can develop a custom treatment plan.

Dedicated to Patient-Centered Care A Dentist Trusted Throughout Austin

1

Nancy Bankston

2023

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Professional, personable, this entire team is great. I leave here feeling that I have gotten excellent service and care.

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1

Maura Riley

2023

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Absolutely love the team at Smile360. I truly feel valued there and know I am in good hands with Dr. Ip and the crew. THANK YOU for taking care of my teeth the last two years :)

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Our Oral Appliances Are Custom-Fit For a Comfortable Night's Sleep

Image of an oral appliance
We never offer one-size-fits-all solutions for unique issues. Your teeth, jaw, oral structures, and airways are different from anyone else's, and your oral appliance for sleep apnea therapy should be, too. We take precise measurements and design devices carefully to give your comfort and anatomy the consideration they deserve.

Is Oral Appliance Therapy Covered by Insurance?

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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

If needed, we can develop an advanced sleep apnea therapy plan by coordinating with your ENT or sleep physician.

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.

Consultation

During your initial consultation at our Austin office, we will discuss your symptoms, review your medical history, and take x-rays and scans of your mouth. Dr. Ip completed a mini-residency focusing on sleep apnea treatment. He has the specialized training to examine your upper airway and screen for the condition.

Sleep Study

Conducted in a sleep center or using an at-home kit, the sleep study measures your oxygen levels, heart rate, and other vitals during the night as you sleep. This will help us diagnose the type and severity of your sleep apnea and may also assist in identifying additional sleep disorders.

Impressions

If you are diagnosed with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea, we will take digital impressions of your bite to send to a trusted lab where your appliance will be fabricated. These detailed scans will help ensure that the finished appliance is comfortable and won't affect your ability to sleep.

Fabrication

Over the next few weeks, technicians will craft your custom oral appliance. Great care is taken to fabricate a durable oral device that will fit properly. When we receive the device at our office, we can make adjustments if necessary.

Wear Your Appliance

Dr. Ip will instruct you to wear your oral appliance every night. The simple device will shift your lower jaw forward to help open your airway during sleep.

Follow-Up

Dr. Ip will see you back at our Austin office within a few weeks to determine the effectiveness of your treatment. 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.

Vivos oral appliance

Kind Words From Austin Patients "Can't say enough good things"

1

Grigor Kezele

2023

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This place doesn't just have top of the line equipment; it's greatest asset are it's employees. They go out of their way to provide excellent service, gentle calming approach and high professionalism. In every way they will work with you to get the best care possible.

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1

Mark Mercado

2021

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Exceptional service, everyone is extremely kind and willing to assist at all times. Recommended Smile 360 to my two sons and they can't say enough good things about their experiences. Highly recommend!

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Dr. Ip

Smile 360

At Smile 360, our mission is to provide patient-centered dental care in a friendly environment. Dr. Ip has been a practicing dentist since 2006 and is proud to be affiliated with a number of prestigious organizations, including the:

  • Academy for Sports Dentistry
  • American Dental Association
  • American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Diplomate
  • Academy of General Dentistry, Fellow

For more information about our services, contact our practice online or call (512) 444-4746 today.

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Austin Office

1509 S Lamar Blvd
Ste 675
Austin, TX 78704

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