Innova Sleep Institute has added custom oral appliance therapy to the sleep apnea services it offers adults in Brunswick and the Golden Isles. The treatment is intended for patients who have been unable to continue using CPAP, as well as those evaluating non-invasive options at the point of diagnosis.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway narrows or closes repeatedly during sleep, interrupting normal breathing. CPAP is commonly prescribed as a first treatment, though mask discomfort, machine noise, and difficulty traveling with the equipment are reasons some patients discontinue its use. When that happens, the underlying condition remains without an active treatment in place.
The appliance added to the practice's services is custom-fabricated from impressions of each patient's teeth and jaw. It is designed to hold the lower jaw in a forward position during sleep, which may help reduce airway obstruction. The device requires no electricity, produces no noise, and is adjusted through follow-up appointments as care progresses.
"Not every patient who is prescribed CPAP is able to continue using it, and this gives them a physician-directed alternative to consider," said Dr. Dexter Mattox, DMD, MD. "The appliance itself is only one part of treatment. The evaluation, the fitting, and the follow-up care all matter."
Care begins with a confirmed diagnosis rather than a direct fitting. Patients with an existing sleep study bring that documentation to their evaluation, and home sleep testing is coordinated for those who need one. Insurance verification, pre-authorization, and claims coordination are completed before any appliance work begins. The service is billed as a medical benefit under insurance plans that include Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Medicare, with coverage depending on each patient's individual plan and benefits. Medicaid is not accepted. No referral is required to schedule an evaluation.
Adults across Brunswick and the Golden Isles can schedule an evaluation with the practice at innova-sleep.com or by calling (912) 400-6914.