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FAQ

Is the OASYS® comfortable?

Unlike other treatment devices, such as the CPAP, which are mass produced and not fitted for unique facial structures, the OASYS® is custom made to fit your mouth providing you with the ultimate in comfort.

When do I wear the OASYS®?

The OASYS® is worn when you sleep. Not only is the product very comfortable and easy to wear but it is also not obvious that you are wearing it. When you travel you will enjoy the freedom and comfort of the OASYS® enabling you to catch some sleep on your journey.

What will the dentist do?

On your first visit, the dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth and mouth and may use X-rays to confirm your oral health status, as well as ensuring that you are dentally appropriate for the device. Dental impressions are required to fabricate the OASYS®. The impressions are taken, sent to a laboratory where the appliance is made and then sent to your dentist. Once custom made for you, the appliance will be inserted by a dentist who will show you how to insert and remove it yourself, as well as how to clean and care for it.

What is an oral appliance?

Oral appliances, also called dental appliances or devices, may be an option for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP. An oral appliance is a small device, similar to an orthodontic retainer or an athletic mouth guard. It is worn in the mouth during sleep to prevent the soft throat tissues from collapsing and obstructing the airway. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends dental devices for patients with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea who are not appropriate candidates for CPAP or who have not been helped by it.

Several different dental devices are available. A trained dental professional such as a dentist or orthodontist should fit you with one of these devices. Devices include:

• Mandibular advancement device (MAD) such as the OASYS®. These are the most widely used dental devices for sleep apnea. It is similar in appearance to a sports mouth guard. MAD forces the lower jaw forward and down slightly, which keeps the airway open.
• Tongue retraining device (TRD). This is a splint that holds the tongue in place to keep the airway as open as possible.

Patients fitted with one of these devices should have a check-up early on to see if it is working; short-term success usually predicts long-term benefits. It may need to be adjusted or replaced periodically.

What are the benefits of a Mandibular Advancement Device such as the OASYS®?

MAD and similar devices seem to offer the following benefits:

• Significant reduction in apneas for those with mild-to-moderate apnea, particularly if patients sleep either on their backs or stomachs. They do not work as well if patients lie on their side. The devices may also improve airflow for some patients with severe apnea.
• Improvement in sleep in many patients.
• Improvement and reduction in the frequency of snoring and loudness of snoring in most (but not all) patients.
• Higher compliance rates than with CPAP.

According to a 2006 review, dental devices help control sleep apnea in 52% of treated patients. A 2002 report indicated that long-term use of a dental device achieved an 81% success rate in apnea improvement, which was significantly higher than the 53% success rate noted for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), the standard surgical treatment.1 There were also few complications with the dental device.

How effective is the OASYS®?

One of the major advantages of the OASYS® MAS is improved patient compliance. The ability to freely open the mouth, speak and drink with the splint fitted is a quantum leap forward in this type of medical treatment.

Are all Oral Devices the same?

Not at all. As with any medical device in the treatment of a condition, there are many different types of products available to treat the same condition. Not all products are right for all people. For the treatment of sleep apnea, there is a full range of products available, some of which are not custom-made or adjustable. Many products are ineffective, uncomfortable and have lower compliance rates. The unique dual patent design of the OASYS® MAS enhances comfort and improves patient compliance. Read our patient testimonies about the OASYS® products to learn for yourself. (Hyper link to patient testimony section)

What is the OASYS®?

The OASYS® is a custom made medical device, designed to hold your lower jaw (mandible) forward while you sleep. The OASYS® repositions the mandible forward which brings the base of the tongue forward, opening and strengthening the upper airway. This results in greater resistance to airway collapse. By holding against the front teeth it repositions the mandible in a gentle way. In addition, the OASYS® is easily adjusted to position the mandible in the most effective forward posture. The OASYS® provides freedom of motion by allowing movement of the mandible in all directions without locking onto the upper arch. For more details about the OASYS® system click here (hyperlink to About your therapy)

A family member snores and it worries me. Where can I find the OASYS® oral appliance?

Oral appliance therapy to treat snoring should be provided by an experienced dentist. A qualified dentist near you can be located by clicking here (hyperlink to find a dentist section) or calling 1-8888SomnoMed on 1-888-8NO-CPAP. We work closely with sleep physicians and dentists to treat snoring and OSA in the most effective way. If daytime drowsiness is a concern, a referral to a sleep physician can be arranged through your family doctor.

What if I have a bridge or denture?

Patients with crowns or bridges can be successfully fitted with the OASYS®. Adjustments are made in the appliance to ensure that fragile crowns and bridges are not harmed.

Sufficient healthy teeth are required in order to use an oral appliance. Most devices require at least 10 good teeth both upper and lower jaws. Patients with partial dentures may be successfully fitted with the OASYS®, as long as there are sufficient teeth on the lower arch for optimal retention. The OASYS® may also be fitted over dental implants.

Can the OASYS® be adjusted?

Yes. The OASYS® is easily adjusted to position the mandible in the most effective forward posture. Simply moving the lower base segment forward to slide the connecting wire through the tube and locking the stop collar back down to the new position, the OASYS® is now ready to wear.

Will the OASYS® be covered by insurance?

If you are going to file for insurance to cover the costs of the OASYS® Oral Nasal Airway System®, coverage for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is provided under your medical insurance carrier. Therefore it is critical that you file for medical insurance not dental insurance.

Usually oral appliances fall under the same category as DME, durable medical equipment and prostheses. If this is not the case, ask if oral appliances are covered by the insurance benefits. Be sure to tell the claims personnel that you have a CPT code. This will speed up the approval process.

For more information on insurance coverage click here (hyperlink to insurance section)

1 Medical Journal Chest, Issue 220:121, 739-746