This article reviews the history of dental therapy as it has led up to currently available
options for the treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders with an emphasis on
oral appliance therapy. Over the last 20 years and in particular the last 5 to 7 years
the contribution as well as the effectiveness of oral appliances has impacted the
treatment of sleep apnea and at the same time provides an alternative for many patients.
The focus here is to examine oral appliances and the role they have as it may be delivered
by the dentist with an interest as well as the expertise in dental sleep medicine.
Oral appliance(s) - mandibular repositioner(s) - tongue retaining device - functional
appliance - obstructive sleep apnea syndrome - sleep-related breathing disorder(s)