Do Sleep Apnea Dental Devices Work?

Q:
Dear Dr. B,

A friend of mine has mild sleep apnea which will cause him to lose his precious private pilot’s license. He did lose 60 lb. but is reluctant to undergo the surgery.

I’ve heard of a dental appliance that opens the airways enough during sleep. But it appears to be a patented invention and I cannot find objective information on it. Opinion?

- David N. from Claremont, CA

A:
David,

You’ve heard correctly. There are hundreds of dental devices out there that will correct sleep apnea. I highly recommend that your friend seek out a dentist knowledgeable in this area. Chances are that if your friend tests after he starts using a sleep apnea dental device every night, he will be able to keep flying.

The way these sleep apnea devices work is by moving the lower jaw forward, which is where they get their name – mandibular advancement devices. This support of the jawbone opens the airway, thus correcting sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea occurs when the heavy tongue and jawbone drop to the back of the mouth due to gravity when lying down, blocking the airway. Blocking the airway like this while sleeping can cause a whole host of issues, such as snoring, sleep apnea, depression, heart disease, cancer, and suppressed immune system.

My recommendation to your friend is this: Get a sleep apnea dental device made by a dentist trained in this area and wear it every night.

Best in health,
Mark Burhenne DDS