Oral Appliances
An oral appliance is a mouthguard-like device you wear during sleep that gently holds your lower jaw forward to help keep your airway open. Also called a mandibular advancement device (MAD) or a sleep apnea mouthpiece, it is a recognized option for primary snoring and for mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and a common choice for people who are CPAP-intolerant or cannot tolerate CPAP therapy. The devices below are self-fit, buy-online options, and they are FSA/HSA eligible. If you have or suspect sleep apnea, confirm the right device with a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine or a sleep physician first.
Types of oral appliances we carry
Most oral appliances are mandibular advancement devices (MADs), which reposition the lower jaw. A less common type, the tongue-retaining device (TRD), holds the tongue forward instead and can suit people who cannot wear a jaw-based device. The appliances we carry are MADs, available as self-fit, boil-and-bite options at two levels:
- Adjustable MAD for snoring and mild-to-moderate OSA: the myTAP is a boil-and-bite appliance with an adjustment dial that advances the jaw in small steps so you can fine-tune the fit. It is FDA-cleared for night-time snoring and mild-to-moderate OSA in adults, and it is prescription-required. Accessories (vertical shims, replacement trays, an adjustment dial, and a mouth shield that promotes nasal breathing) let you tune and maintain it.
- Anti-snore mouthpieces: the SmartGuard is an FDA-cleared, over-the-counter mandibular advancement device for reducing snoring in adults; the Swiss-made Somnofit-S is likewise FDA-cleared to help reduce snoring in adults. Neither is intended to treat sleep apnea, and neither is sold as a prescription device.
Want depth on how these devices work and who they suit? Read Do oral appliances really work for sleep apnea?
Self-fit (OTC) vs custom dentist-made
A self-fit appliance is molded at home and bought online, which keeps the cost lower and works well for snoring and milder cases. A custom appliance is made and fitted by a qualified dentist from impressions of your teeth, is typically used for diagnosed OSA, and may be billable to medical insurance. For obstructive sleep apnea, clinical guidelines from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine favor a custom, titratable appliance prescribed through a professional. The self-fit devices here are a practical starting point for snoring and mild cases; for diagnosed OSA, use them only under the direction of your clinician.
Who is a good candidate?
Oral appliance therapy is most often used for primary snoring, mild-to-moderate OSA, and for people who are CPAP-intolerant or prefer an alternative. If your sleep apnea is severe, or you have central sleep apnea, an oral appliance is usually not enough and CPAP or BiPAP is generally recommended. Not sure where you stand? Start with an at-home sleep apnea test, then review your results with a professional. You can also compare the full range of CPAP alternatives.
Are oral appliances as effective as CPAP?
CPAP remains the clinical gold standard for obstructive sleep apnea, especially for moderate-to-severe cases. For mild-to-moderate OSA, oral appliance therapy is an established option recognized by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM/AADSM 2015 clinical practice guideline), and many people stick with it more consistently because the device is small, quiet, and easy to travel with. The most effective therapy is the one you actually use every night, so decide with your sleep physician.
Do you need a prescription?
It depends on the device. The anti-snore mouthpieces (SmartGuard, Somnofit-S) are not sold as prescription devices, and SmartGuard is FDA-cleared for over-the-counter use. The myTAP, which is cleared for mild-to-moderate OSA, is prescription-required. All of the appliances here are FSA/HSA eligible, and flexible payment options are available at checkout.
Cost and insurance
What you pay depends on the route. The devices on this page are self-fit, buy-online options, which is the lower-cost path, and they can be paid for with FSA or HSA funds. A custom appliance made and fitted by a qualified dentist is the higher-cost route and may be billed to medical insurance or Medicare when you have a documented diagnosis. See each product page for current pricing.
Caring for your oral appliance
Rinse your appliance after each use, let it dry, and clean it regularly following the manufacturer's instructions; an ultrasonic cleaner makes this easier. Replace boil-and-bite trays when they wear out or stop holding their shape. Wearing a jaw-forward device overnight can leave a temporary change in your bite each morning, which usually settles; a morning repositioner like the AM Aligner is designed to help with that. Tell your dentist about any lasting jaw, tooth, or bite changes.
Always consult a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine or a sleep physician before starting oral appliance therapy, especially if you have or suspect obstructive sleep apnea.
