Oral Appliance Therapy

The Open Airway & Breath Institute is a dedicated holistic dentistry practice that specializes in oral appliance therapy. Dr. Robin Steely, DDS prioritizes minimally invasive techniques for addressing a wide scope of oral health and dental concerns. Oral appliance therapy is a highly effective treatment option that can be utilized for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. By engineering a customized oral sleep appliance, we’re able to facilitate better sleep and a better quality of life for our patients. 

With the goal to prevent fragmented sleep, our oral appliance therapy services address the underlying cause of your current symptoms. Consistent, healthy sleep nourishes all the physiological systems in our body, helping us thrive both mentally and physically. We work closely with board-certified sleep medicine physicians that are responsible for diagnosing sleep apnea. The Open Airway & Breath Institute’s team of oral appliance therapy specialists is honored to serve patients throughout the Battle Creek, Bedford Charter Township, Kalamazoo, Portage, Marshall, Richland, Holland, Grand Rapids, Hastings, Charlotte, Springfield, and Coldwater area.  

Oral appliances are meant to be worn only during sleep. They typically resemble an orthodontic retainer or a sports mouthguard. By supporting your jaw in the forward position, oral appliances work to maintain an open upper airway. Studies have shown that oral appliance therapy is a viable and effective solution for treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. At the Open Airway & Breath Institute, Dr. Robin Steely, DDS and our team can provide the proper diagnosis along with a comprehensive oral appliance therapy treatment plan. We’ll work with you to create a custom-made oral appliance that’s FDA-approved and provides the relief you’re looking for. 

There are various custom-fit oral appliances that can be used to treat snoring and sleep apnea. While all these devices differ in appearance, they mainly fall into these two categories:

• Tongue retaining device: These oral devices hold the tongue in place in order to keep your airway open.

• Mandibular repositioning device: These oral devices reposition your lower jaw forward and slightly downward in order to keep your airway open. These are more common than tongue retaining devices. 

At the Open Airway & Breath Institute, Dr. Robin Steely, DDS and our team specialize in treating snoring and sleep apnea. During your first appointment, we provide a comprehensive examination of your jaw, teeth, tongue, and airway along with discussing your medical history and all the symptoms you are currently experiencing. We may need to take an X-ray in certain cases. We’ll then go over oral appliance therapy as well as all of your other treatment options. 

Your custom oral appliance will be created using physical or digital impressions and models of your teeth. We send these impressions and models to our trusted dental lab where your oral appliance is made. We’ll set up a follow-up appointment once your oral appliance has been created for a fitting. Dr. Robin Steely, DDS will make any adjustments necessary to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness. Our team will go over care and cleaning instructions. After your fitting appointment, we may schedule you for sleep observation in order to verify the success of oral appliance therapy treatment. 

In order to ensure a lifetime of success, we’ll need to check your oral appliances during your biannual assessments. During your regular cleanings and examinations, we’ll take this opportunity to make any necessary adjustments to your oral appliance. Routine follow-up visits are crucial to ensure long-term success.