REstore TMJ & Sleep Specialist logo.


1001 Medical Plaza Drive, Ste 200  

The Woodlands, TX  77380 

281-296-6797
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Oral Appliance Therapy

Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea in The Woodlands, TX

At Restore TMJ & Sleep Therapy we offer comfortable oral appliance therapy (OAT) to our patients who are looking for CPAP alternatives for treating their obstructive sleep apnea. 


Oral Appliances, also called Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD), can be used to treat sleep apnea as a 1st line therapy for people with mild or moderate sleep apnea or for those who cannot tolerate the use of a CPAP machine. 


The obvious advantage of Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is it reduces the need for a bulky CPAP device with its associated masks, hoses and forced air that can make people uncomfortable. 


Sleep apnea specialists like Dr. Phillips can work closely with you to determine if this treatment option is right for you and help you find the correct device for your specific needs.

Illustrated image showing how oral appliances open up airways to help with sleep apnea.
Give us a call today to schedule your consultation

How Do Oral Appliances Work?

Oral sleep appliances are effective because of the way they naturally open your airway to allow optimized oxygen flow. Rather than force air through manually, like with a CPAP machine, mandibular advancement devices guide your lower jaw (mandible) forward. This movement prevents the collapse of soft tissues at the back of your throat, which is a primary cause of obstructive sleep apnea. 

With a dental sleep appliance, you’re fitted with a customized mouthpiece that rests over your front teeth. From there, Dr. Phillips makes careful measurements and adjustments to position your lower jaw in a way that brings the tongue forward and away from the back of your throat. 

An oral sleep appliance is effective as your first line of defense for mild to moderate OSA, or for individuals who are unable to use a CPAP.

Benefits of Oral Appliances Over Other Forms Of Treatment

Compared to traditional CPAP machines, an oral appliance offers numerous advantages for our patients. Some of the most significant ones include
  • Small size, making it easy to store or travel with
  • No cumbersome or noisy equipment
  • Freedom to sleep in more comfortable positions
  • Discreet and quiet
  • A natural, less invasive way to improve air flow
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • More comfortable to wear 
  • A more affordable alternative to CPAP therapy
If your sleep partner, family members, or roommates are complaining about your snoring or loud CPAP machine, they’ll like your oral appliance, too! Most of our patients experience tremendous benefits as soon as the first night of use. 

Happy Patients

"Made me feel like they truly cared about my well being"

I can highly recommend Dr Phillips and her wonderful staff. They made the office visit so pleasant and made me feel like they truly cared about my well being. The service they provide is so specialized and we are so lucky to have them near my neighborhood. TMJ has been my issue for many years and thanks to Dr Prehn and now Dr Phillips and this great staff, it has become a very manageable issue. Again, I would highly recommend them...it can be a life changing solution.


- Reba Brantley Strickland

"It has been years since I haven't experienced having a morning headache."

“Dr. Phillips and the whole team took excellent care of me -- from setting appointments and follow-ups, diagnosis and treatment. I was treated with compassion and courtesy. Dr. Phillips and her staff spent a great deal of time with me to understand my history and symptoms, perform a comprehensive exam and imaging, and provide a detailed diagnosis and treatment plan. And it worked! The first night I slept with my appliance the next morning I did not have a headache. It has been years since I haven't experienced having a morning headache. Totally worthwhile doctors visit. Terrific experience. Highly recommend.”


- Lydia Hall 

Can An Appliance Really Help Stop Sleep Apnea and Snoring?

Absolutely. Our practice in The Woodlands has treated thousands of patients with oral appliance therapy. Dr. Phillips understands how to ensure the most successful outcome for you or your family member. 

Oral sleep appliances are effective for mild to moderate cases of obstructive apnea, and in some cases more severe sleeping disorders (for people who are CPAP intolerant.) Because they work naturally rather than force air into the lungs, our patients tend to respond to them much better than they do with bulky, invasive mechanical equipment. 

As Vice-President of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Phillips is one of the leading providers of OSA therapy in the United States. Our practice located in The Woodlands provides safe and effective solutions for patients throughout the greater Houston and Gulf Coast area. 

Which Oral Appliance Is Right For Me?

Oral Appliances are smaller, more comfortable, easier to use and better tolerated for most people. They are not however a one size fit all solution. 


There are many different types of Mandibular Advancement Devices and many different factors that need to be considered before choosing which one is right for you. 


The role of a Board Certified Sleep Dentist like Dr. Katherine Phillips in helping you choose the right device for you is to consider the many factors that would make one custom made appliance the perfect fit for you over the others. 


Having helped over 5000 people this way, Dr. Phillips knows which questions to ask. Such as:

 

  • What size appliance is appropriate for your mouth? 
  • Do you have short clinical crowns? 
  • What is the degree of your curve of spee? 
  • What is the contour of your teeth? 
  • How much dental work do you have and where in the mouth is it?
  •  Where is the force for mandibular advancement best placed on your teeth? 
  • Do you sleep with your mouth open or closed? 
  • Are you claustrophobic?

 

And, many other questions. Knowing what questions to ask, and more importantly, knowing what to do with the answers is what makes Dr. Katherine Phillips one of the top providers of Oral Appliance Therapy in the country. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Phillips and let her guide you to a great night’s sleep.


While there are over 100 oral appliances on the market, Dr. Phillips only considers those that are FDA approved to treat sleep apnea. Some of the MAD’s we currently use are:

ProSomnus CA

Close up image of a clear oral appliance used for sleep apnea therapy.
The ProSomnus [CA] is a precision Continuous Advancement OAT device that is designed to overcome the various limitations of traditional OAT devices. By using a variety of proprietary technologies, the ProSomnus [CA] is able to address archform asymmetries and manufacturing variances. This results in enhanced clinical efficiencies and dependable results.

Prosomnus IA

Diagram of a clear oral appliance for sleep apnea therapy showing the difference elements of the oral device.
The ProSomnus [IA] Sleep Device is excellent for optimizing treatment as it features a variety of customization options. These include but are not limited to Airway Openings, Anterior Discluders, Splint Coverage Options, Compliance Sensor Capability, and Unlimited Advancement Arches. The result is a comfortable patient experience and clinical efficiency. 

Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP) 3

Side-view of clear oral appliance used for sleep apnea therapy.
The Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP) 3 is a custom-made, two piece mandibular advancement device. It functions similarly to a retainer and holds the jaw forward so that the tongue and soft tissue do not collapse into the throat. The Tap 3 allows dentists to customize many different solutions with interchangeable hooks allowing accommodation for Class I, II, and III bites.

Panthera DSAD

Close up animated diagram of purple oral appliance used for sleep apnea therapy.
The Panthera D-SAD might just be the smallest device available for treating sleep apnea, and it is the only one entirely printed using CAD/CAM technology. Made of a resistant biocompatible nylon (type 12 polyamide), this device is comfortable but also capable of treating mild to severe apnea.

Somnomed - Somnodent Flex

Using a unique, proprietary SMH BFlex material, the Flex is well regarded for patient comfort while also offering excellent retention. The material also eliminates odors. There’s no need for crown or bridge work and owing to the minimal adjustments needed, the patient’s time-in-chair is minimized. Backed by a 3 year warranty against manufacturing defects.
Purple oral appliance designed by Somnodent.

Answering Your Oral Appliance Related Questions

  • Where can I buy an oral appliance for sleep apnea?

    Over-the-counter dental appliances are available, but they are not FDA cleared for OSA and can lead to unwanted side effects that may require corrective dental treatments. Getting a custom-made dental appliance from a dentist who specializes in dental appliance therapy helps to avoid these risks.

  • What is the most effective oral appliance for sleep apnea?

    There are a number of oral appliances used for treating mild OSA. A dentist who specializes in dental appliance therapy will evaluate your individual needs and determine what type of oral appliance will best treat your OSA.

  • Does insurance cover sleep apnea oral appliances?

    Most medical insurance plans offer some coverage for custom-made oral appliances that treat OSA.

  • Are oral appliances for sleep apnea generally safe?

    Custom-made oral appliances for sleep apnea are considered safe for the treatment of mild and moderate OSA. In some cases, they may be worn in conjunction with a CPAP device to help lower high pressure needs.

  • Do I need to go to a dentist to get my sleep apnea dental appliance?

    It is important to see a specially trained dentist who will create a custom-made oral appliance that fits properly and mange the titration process ensuring the treatment is effective. Over-the-counter appliances may seem attractive due to lower prices and no office visits but may cause jaw problems or tooth movement. They may even inadvertently worsen sleep apnea.

Contact Restore TMJ in The Woodlands for a consultation

Thanks to 3D imaging technology and scanning, we’re able to capture virtual scans of your upper airway anatomy to determine if (and how) an oral appliance can help you sleep better at night. Everything from your jaw shape to mouth composition affects how well you’re able to breath at night once your head has hit the pillow.


If you’re struggling with getting a good night’s rest or are frustrated with your quality of life because of sleep apnea, contact us right away. We’ll be happy to book a consultation for you to meet directly with Dr. Phillips at our practice in The Woodlands to learn more about how we can help. With a board certification in dental sleep medicine, Dr. Phillips knows how to help you find the relief you deserve.

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