This educational series will present the most current evidence-based instruction on the use of oral appliance therapy (OAT) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. It is important that one become more familiar with the indications, the contraindications and the clinical application of treatment options such as OAT that may be less familiar to us than Positive Airway Pressure therapy.

Sleep Medicine is an ever-evolving multidisciplinary field. The socioeconomic and health impacts of poor-quality sleep have been well documented, and the complex nature of sleep disturbances has led a diverse group of clinical specialists to address the needs of those suffering from sleep disorders. Today, Sleep specialists arise from the fields of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics / Neurology and Behavioral Medicine / Surgery and Dentistry.

Each discipline offers a unique set of approaches and options for the treatment of patients suffering from sleep disorders. As the toolbox of treatment options grows, it becomes essential for the professional polysomnographer and other sleep team members to become familiar with each of the treatment modalities and how they might be called to interface with these modalities of treatment in the recording of a polysomnographic study.

Module Topics: 

1. Introduction to Oral Appliance Therapy for OSA
2. A Patient's Journey with Oral Appliance Therapy 
3. Anatomy/physiology of sleep apnea and how an oral appliance addresses pathophysiology
4. Clinical Considerations for The Oral Appliance Therapy Patient
5. Technologist Guide to Oral Appliance Combination Therapy 
6. Oral appliance therapy for OSA with comorbidities

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to: 

1.    Discuss the various types of appliances that are available and to understand which types of appliances are preferred for OAT.
2.    Understand the anatomy and physiology of OSA and how OAT addresses the pathophysiology.
3.    Discuss the clinical considerations and patient characteristics that might qualify the patient as a candidate for OAT.
4.    Understand the “patient journey” from diagnosis with OSA through to the successful employment of OAT for OSA.
5.    Discuss the clinical outcomes of OAT, including the specific ways in which the clinical polysomnographer may be directly involved in the evaluation and application of OAT in the sleep laboratory.
6.    Understand the evolving future of OAT in the personalized care of individuals requiring treatment of OSA.


Estimated time to complete: 6 hours

Target audience: Nurse Practitioner, Physician, Physician Assistant, Respiratory Therapist, Sleep Center Manager, Sleep Technologist


Release date: 6/1/23
Expiration date:6/1/26