Who is the best candidate for an oral appliance in the treatment of OSA?

The best candidate for an oral appliance in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is typically a patient with mild OSA. Oral appliances are designed to reposition the jaw and tongue to help keep the airway open during sleep, making them a suitable option for individuals with less severe forms of the condition, where the use of CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) might not be necessary or effective on its own.

Patients with mild OSA often benefit from oral appliances as a first-line treatment, especially those who prefer this method over more invasive options. While it can also be used in moderate cases, the effectiveness tends to diminish as the severity of the OSA increases. Severe OSA patients might require more intensive treatment like CPAP therapy due to the greater degree of airway obstruction they experience.

Central sleep apnea, on the other hand, involves a different mechanism than obstructive sleep apnea and typically requires a different treatment strategy that does not primarily involve oral appliances. Thus, patients with mild OSA represent the ideal candidates for this therapeutic approach.