Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

No, not necessarily. Not everyone who snores suffers from sleep apnea. However, frequent and/or loud snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common and potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts as you sleep. The biggest indicator of sleep apnea is how you feel during the day. Normal snoring shouldn’t interfere with the quality of your sleep as much as sleep apnea does. For example, you’re less likely to experience extreme fatigue and sleepiness during the day from snoring during sleep. These symptoms are an indicator for sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea. Apnea means the absence of breath, or a period of time, a person does not breathe. OSA refers to when a person stops breathing during sleep due to an obstruction in the airway. An obstruction can occur for many reasons. However, the most common causes are the tongue blocking the airway or the sides of the airway collapsing.

Typical signs and symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, waking up feeling unrefreshed, waking gasping for air or choking, night sweats, waking up with a sore throat, poor memory, nighttime urination and/or sexual problems.

If OSA is not treated or not treated effectively you may have an increased risk of developing obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and mood disorders. The risk for stroke and heart attacks also increase along with being at risk of a motor vehicle and/or workplace accident.

Almost everyone experiences some sort of nasal congestion at some time throughout the night while sleeping. Some of the most common causes of nasal obstruction or a “stuffy nose” are chronic or acute sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and environmental conditions such as seasonal allergies, smoke or atmosphere irritants (dust or dirt). The common cold, flu, alcohol and certain medications such as blood pressure medications, can lead to dryness and congestion also. Some people have anatomical conditions that can also lead to nasal congestion or resistance, such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps. Nasal congestion is important to recognize because it can influence how effective your therapy will be for the treatment of OSA.

The O2Vent Optima oral appliance is a removable medical device that is custom fitted to your mouth for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. It incorporates an airway that allows for air flow through the device while sleeping even in the presence of nasal obstruction.

• The O2Vent Optima works in two different ways:
  Firstly, all O2Vent Optima oral appliances are adjustable.This means that over time the lower jaw will be slowly positioned forward to open the airway, to decrease or eliminate apnea episodes while sleeping. This adjustment is made with the help of your healthcare practitioner. Once the best jaw position is found for you, the O2Vent Optima will be set at this position.
• Secondly, all O2Vent Optima oral appliances are made with a custom airway which allows for airflow even when your nose is blocked. This will allow you to breathe through your nose when you can do so without any issues. Should any nasal congestion and/or obstruction occur you can switch to mouth breathing.The airway allows for uninterrupted breathing even in the presence of nasal obstruction. This allows you to enjoy a quality sleep and feel refreshed in the morning.

No, it doesn’t. It manages mouth breathing while still allowing the patient to get enough airflow when it would otherwise be obstructed by high nasal obstruction.

Yes. Oventus Airway Technology does not prevent nose breathing. To the extent that a patient can breathe through their nose, they will continue to do so.

The O2Vent Optima is indicated for use during sleep to aid in the treatment of snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. This 3D printed oral appliance is inserted into your mouth before each sleep period. Schedule a consultation to learn more about the O2Vent Optima.

As with anything new, an acclimation period is to be expected. Each person’s experience will be different and unique to them. Always refer back to your Prescribing Professional or referring Dentist for any issues or concerns. Listed below are some common side effects that you may experience, along with some helpful hints on how to overcome them:

• Excess saliva-According to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) “Watchful waiting is considered first-line treatment to manage excessive salivation/drooling”, meaning that the excessive saliva will stabilize within a few weeks. The increase in saliva is the body’s response to something new in the mouth and will gradually start to decrease.
• Possible dry mouth or a dry spot in the mouth-If you feel that you can’t work up a good mouthful of saliva, use an over-the-counter saliva substitute or gel, such as Biotene Oral Balance, Oasis orMEDOral Dry Mouth Treatment.
•  Soft tissue, gum or tongue irritation–This is another common side effect that usually resolves in a few weeks. You should always refer back to your Prescribing Professional or dentist.There could be slight adjustments that can be made to your O2Vent Optima. Your dentist may also recommend temporarily discontinuing use of the oral appliance for a short time. If these treatment options are insufficient or inappropriate, orthodontic wax may also be considered appropriate.
• Jaw pain–you may need to acclimate to the device over time and build up usage by: Placing the device in your mouth while awake for several hours, gradually increasing time until you better adapt to the product.oUse Tylenol or similar medication to manage any discomfort.
• Tooth tenderness-will reduce over time with the acclimation of several weeks.

It is important to clean your device every day, just like you do your own teeth. Your dental healthcare professional will provide more instructions on daily and twice weekly cleaning and provide an Instructions for Use booklet. Refer the question on cleaning instructions for more information.

If you suspect that yourself or a loved one has OSA, you/they should be examined by a sleep physician to determine if there is a diagnosis of OSA. The O2Vent Optima is a medical device. All patients should contact a qualified dentist to be evaluated and properly fitted for an O2Vent Optima device. An oral exam, impressions or scans of the oral cavity will be taken to produce this customized device.

There are a few conditions where an oral appliance is not suited to a patient for the treatment of OSA.These conditions include if you are:

• diagnosed with central sleep apnea
• have another type of severe respiratory disease
• have loose or missing teeth or suffer advanced periodontal disease
• have restorative needs
• You must also be 18 years of age or older and it may also not be the first choice for person that suffers temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ).
• Your options for treatment should be discussed with your physician or sleep specialist.

Traveling with your O2Vent is as easy as packing your toothbrush. Be sure to place your device in your carry-on bag when flying to avoid extreme temperatures. During flights, it is suggested that you store your device dry in the container until you reach your final destination to avoid any security stops for liquids. When traveling in a vehicle, avoid leaving your device in a warm vehicle.

Yes. The O2Vent Optima oral appliance is warranted for 3 years. You will receive a warranty card with full details when you order an O2Vent Optima. Schedule a consultation to learn more about O2Vent Optima and our Customer Support team can provide further details.

The cost varies depending on your level of medical insurance. Contact your dental specialist to determine your health plan’s level of cover with regards to oral appliance therapy for treating sleep apnea.