Sleep apnea isn’t just about snoring—it’s a serious condition that can impact your health, energy, and quality of life. If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you may already know how frustrating traditional treatments like CPAP can be. But there’s another option worth exploring: oral appliance therapy.
At Blue Valley Smiles in Overland Park, KS, Dr. Rachel Karabas and Dr. Todd O’Neil provide custom oral appliances designed to treat sleep apnea comfortably and effectively.
What is an Oral Appliance?
An oral appliance is a small, custom-made device that you wear while you sleep. It looks a bit like a sports mouthguard or an orthodontic retainer—but its purpose is different. Instead of protecting your teeth, it holds your jaw in a forward position to help keep your airway open.
This forward position prevents the soft tissues in the back of your throat from collapsing during sleep—a common cause of snoring and airway blockage in people with OSA.
Who Can Benefit From an Oral Appliance?
Oral appliances are most effective for people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. They’re also a great solution for people who can’t tolerate CPAP therapy or want a quieter, travel-friendly option. In many cases, patients report improved sleep, less daytime fatigue, and reduced snoring.
The appliance is custom-fitted to your bite, so it stays in place comfortably without slipping. Many patients find it easy to adapt to after just a few nights.
Why Custom Fit Matters
Store-bought devices don’t offer the same fit or function. At Blue Valley Smiles, Dr. Karabas and Dr. O’Neil use precise digital impressions to design appliances tailored to your unique jaw structure. That makes them more effective—and more comfortable to wear.
Explore Sleep Apnea Treatment in Overland Park at Blue Valley Smiles
If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea or suspect something’s off with your sleep, Blue Valley Smiles can help. Dr. Karabas and Dr. O’Neil will walk you through your options and help you determine whether a custom oral appliance could make a difference in how you sleep—and how you feel during the day.
Better rest might be simpler than you think.