At Victoria Sleep Therapy, Dr. Chélise Kasun and Dr. Furey Higgins treat snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with a customized oral appliance called a Mandibular Repositioning Device (MRD). The MRD gently holds the lower jaw and the attached muscular structures, including the tongue, in a comfortable forward position. This ensures the airway remains open during sleep and therefore allows sufficient air exchange and oxygen delivery to your body. 

The device fits in the palm of your hand, is relatively comfortable and easy to wear, requires no electricity and is easy to travel with.

The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine considers OAT as a first line of treatment for mild to moderate OSA.

OAT is an effective option to treat the following:

• Primary snoring

• Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)

• Mild to Moderate OSA

• Patients with severe OSA who are unable to successfully tolerate CPAP therapy

• In combination with CPAP to lower patient’s AHI for more tolerable air pressure settings

For many, it eliminates or reduces snoring. Your appliance may require adjustments over time and will require ongoing assessments to ensure your airway is functioning in the healthiest way possible.

At Victoria Sleep Therapy, we generally offer 3 appliances.  We select the appliance that is best suited for each individual patient.

1st APPOINTMENT – CONSULTATION 

Dr. Chélise Kasun or Dr. Furey Higgins will sit down with you to discuss whether oral appliance therapy is right for you. They will answer all of your concerns and questions, review your medical and sleep history, including your sleep study if already completed. They will perform a limited oral exam and jaw joint (TMJ) exam. They will also review the process involved and the benefits and risks of oral appliance therapy.

2nd APPOINTMENT – SLEEP THERAGNOSTIC (MATRx PlusTM)

Dr. Kasun or Dr. Higgins will set you up with our Zephyr Sleep Technologies MATRx PlusTM. This is a two night sleep study with a temporary oral appliance that will predict whether you can be successfully treated with oral appliance therapy. It also identifies an effective position to which we will set the custom oral appliance.

To learn more about the our Zephyr Sleep Technologies MATRx PlusTM, visit their website: zephyrsleep.com

3rd APPOINTMENT – RECORD TAKING

This involves using our state of the art iTero digital impression system. Instead of taking traditional impressions, our iTero takes a digital scan of your teeth and bite, avoiding the gaggy and goopy mess. Digital scans are also more accurate than traditional impression, producing a better fitting appliance.

Next Dr. Kasun or Dr. Higgins will need to record the effective bite position as determined by the MATRx Plus. We also use a TENS machine to relax the jaw muscles prior to recording the bite.

These will get sent to one of our chosen labs for fabrication of the appliance.

DELIVERY OF APPLIANCE

When you receive your oral appliance, we will ensure a comfortable fit and make any necessary adjustments. We provide instructions on use and care.

FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENTS

We pride ourselves in a thorough follow up protocol to ensure effectiveness of treatment. We will schedule follow up home sleep studies as needed and adjust the appliance as needed based on the data.