According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related breathing disorder that involves a decrease or complete halt in the airflow of the upper airways despite an ongoing effort to breathe. Treatments for obstructive sleep apnea may include therapies with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Oral Appliances (OA) or surgeries. OA are best suited for mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea, but are also an alternative for severe cases when a patient cannot tolerate Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment. They are also suitable for situations when there is no power for a CPAP machine such as camping and travelling. The appliances modify the upper airway by changing the posture of the mandible and tongue. The study was undertaken to review the available types of oral devices. The article also discusses the side effects, complications from appliance therapies and comparison with CPAP therapies or surgeries.

Key words: obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, oral appliances.