Over-the-Counter Devices Probably Won’t Help Sleep Apnea

Monday, February 28th, 2011 at 2:39 PM

The options for oral appliances fall in two main categories: prescription devices you can get from a dentist or orthodontist and do-it-yourself products you can order online. All work by moving the lower jaw forward to create extra space in the airway, but they vary wildly in terms of cost.

Prescription devices such as the TAP 3 (short for Thornton adjustable positioner) are crafted in a lab to fit each individual mouth. They can cost roughly $2,000 to $3,000, including dentist fees. The TAP comes with an adjustment key that enables patients to gradually move the jaw a few millimeters at a time. It generally lasts three to five years.

Many dentists offer plastic “boil-and-bite” devices, such as the TheraSnore, that can be fitted during your visit for $300 to $800.

If that still sounds like a lot of money for a quiet night’s sleep, you might be tempted by an over-the-counter anti-snoring appliance. The VitalSleep appliance from the Stop Snoring Co. sells for about $40. It’s supposed to last about a year.[ Read Complete Post By Chris Woolston, Special At Los Angeles Times... ]