Oral Appliance Therapy

A custom, comfortable alternative to CPAP

If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea or struggle with chronic snoring, oral appliance therapy may be the solution you’ve been looking for, especially if CPAP hasn’t worked for you.

Dr. Holt specializes in custom oral appliances for patients who want a simpler, more comfortable way to treat sleep apnea. He works closely with your sleep physician to make sure your treatment is coordinated and effective.

How It Works

An oral appliance is a small, custom-fitted device you wear while you sleep. It works by gently shifting the lower jaw forward, which keeps your airway open and prevents the collapse that causes apnea events and snoring.

Unlike CPAP, there’s no mask, no hose, and no machine running beside your bed. Most patients find the adjustment period short and the long-term experience comfortable.

What Oral Appliance Therapy Can Do

For patients who are good candidates, oral appliance therapy can:

  • Reduce or eliminate apnea events during sleep
  • Decrease or stop snoring
  • Improve sleep quality for you and your partner
  • Increase daytime alertness and energy
  • Eliminate the friction that comes with CPAP equipment

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Oral appliance therapy is typically recommended for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or for those with severe OSA who cannot tolerate CPAP. It’s also an effective treatment for chronic snoring without apnea.

To receive an oral appliance, you’ll need a diagnosis from a sleep physician, usually confirmed through a sleep study. Dr. Holt works with your physician to review those results and design an appliance that fits your anatomy and your treatment goals.

If you haven’t completed a sleep study yet, Dr. Holt can refer you to a qualified sleep physician to get started.

What to Expect

Once Dr. Holt determines that an oral appliance is appropriate for your case, he’ll take precise impressions of your teeth and bite to create a device that fits only you. Most appliances take a few weeks to fabricate.

At your fitting appointment, Dr. Holt will walk you through how to wear and care for your appliance and schedule follow-up visits to fine-tune the fit. Ongoing adjustments are a normal part of the process and help ensure you’re getting the full benefit of treatment.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea or snoring and want to explore whether an oral appliance is right for you, contact Southlake Sleepwell to schedule a consultation with Dr. Holt.

Treatment that fits your life.

Oral appliance therapy is the modern alternative to CPAP for many patients. Each treatment plan starts with a sleep physician's diagnosis, then Dr. Holt builds a custom device shaped to your mouth.

Oral Appliance Therapy

A small, custom-fit device worn at night. It holds the lower jaw slightly forward to keep your airway open. No mask, no hose, no machine noise. The standard of care for mild to moderate sleep apnea and a strong option for severe cases when CPAP fails.

CPAP Alternatives

If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea and your CPAP is collecting dust, you're not alone. Roughly half of patients abandon their machines within a year. An oral appliance is often the next step.

Snoring Treatment

Loud, persistent snoring is more than a nuisance. It can signal an underlying airway issue, and it costs the person next to you their sleep too. A custom appliance can quiet most snoring overnight.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Untreated sleep apnea raises your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and accidents. Treating it well can change how you feel every day. Dr. Holt's approach is co-managed with your sleep physician, from start to finish.

Stop wrestling with sleep apnea
If you snore loudly, wake up exhausted, or can't stand your CPAP, an oral appliance may be the answer. The first step is a conversation.