Are there any side effects of using Oral Appliance Therapy?

Patients using oral appliance therapy may experience some of the following side effects:

• Excessive salivation or dryness.
• Morning soreness in the teeth or jaw muscles.
• Tooth movements (mostly minor)
• Noises in the ear or jaw joint

Some other side effects may develop such as

• Continued muscle or joint soreness
• Permanent changes in the bite
• Slight movement of teeth
• Loosening of dental restorations (crowns, bridges, etc)

Most of these side effects improve within a few weeks of regular use and some adjustments of the appliance. Patients with arthritis and chronic jaw joint dysfunction may have difficulty tolerating an OAT.

With over 15 years of experience in the field of oral appliance therapy, and being the first Diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine in DuPage County, Dr. Weyneth and his team help our patients prevent or manage potential side effects. To help monitor potential side effects, it is important to maintain proper follow-up care with a sleep trained dental team. Most general dental offices do not routinely work with dental sleep medicine.