A custom oral appliance for snoring and sleep apnea
A mandibular advancement device is a custom mouthpiece that holds your lower jaw slightly forward while you sleep. Dr. Jeff Buxton designs each one from digital scans and works in coordination with your sleep physician.
★★★★★4.9 on Google · 270+ Toothpillow reviews · Dr. Jeff Buxton, DMD
When the jaw relaxes, the airway can narrow
When you fall asleep, the muscles in your jaw and tongue relax. For some people, the lower jaw and tongue drift back and crowd the airway. That can mean snoring, restless sleep, or, for people diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, repeated interruptions in breathing.
A mandibular advancement device is designed to hold the lower jaw slightly forward while you sleep. That forward position helps keep the tongue out of the way and may help keep the airway more open.
It's often considered for adults who snore and for patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea who can't tolerate CPAP. At Toothpillow Breathing & Sleep Center in Draper, we fit and adjust appliances in coordination with your sleep physician.
Oral appliance therapy may be a fit if...
CPAP isn't working for you
You've been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and can't tolerate the mask. Your physician can help decide whether an appliance fits.
You snore
Snoring is straining your sleep or your partner's, and you want a nonsurgical option.
You travel often
A small appliance fits in a pocket or carry-on, with no power cord or distilled water to pack.
You like it quiet
No machine, no hose, and no hum on the nightstand.
Expansion isn't right for you
Your anatomy or goals point away from expansion, and you still want airway support at night.
You're weighing your options
You're considering longer-term airway treatment and want a nightly option while you decide.
It all starts with an airway consultation
Before anyone talks treatment, we get the full picture. Your consultation with Dr. Buxton includes:
- A 3D CBCT scan of the airway, jaws, and joints
- A digital intraoral scan (no goopy molds)
- Photos and a hands-on exam of breathing, tongue, and bite
- A plain-language walkthrough of what we see and what your options are
Airway consultation: {$350 for kids and adults}
Designed from your scans, fit to your bite
A good appliance starts with good information. Before we make anything, Dr. Buxton reviews your sleep results (from a prior study or our at-home sleep ring) and evaluates your airway, teeth, and jaw joints.
- A digital intraoral scan of your teeth, with no goopy impression trays
- A 3D CBCT scan of your airway and jaws
- A check of your bite and jaw joints, since the appliance repositions your jaw
- Your sleep physician's findings and recommendations
Your appliance is custom made from those digital records, so it's shaped to your teeth and your jaw position.
How oral appliance therapy works here
Sleep testing and diagnosis
A sleep test and your physician's diagnosis come first, so everyone knows what we're treating.
Airway consultation and scans
Dr. Buxton evaluates your airway, bite, and jaw joints and captures digital scans for your appliance.
Custom fitting
We fit your appliance and show you how to wear it, clean it, and store it.
Gradual adjustment
Your appliance can be adjusted in small steps to find a forward position that works for you.
Follow-up with your care team
We check in on comfort, your bite, and your sleep, and share progress with your physician. We typically sleep test before treatment, during it, and after, depending on your plan.
Nightly support, with an eye on the root cause
An oral appliance supports your airway each night you wear it. For many patients, that's exactly what they need. Dr. Buxton also wants you to understand why your airway narrows in the first place.
If your scans show a narrow upper jaw, we may talk about DOMEzero, the minimally invasive adult expansion protocol Dr. Buxton uses. It pairs slow, gradual palatal expansion with clear aligners and is designed to create more room for the tongue and nasal airway, followed by clear aligners and QuietNite laser if needed.
- Custom made for your teeth and bite
- Adjustable over time
- Part of a bigger airway plan whenever you're ready
Still weighing everything? See all of our CPAP alternatives in one place.
What patients and families say
Real Google reviews from our Draper office, Dr. Buxton's patients, and Toothpillow families. Individual experiences; every airway is different.
"Dr. Buxton really cares about his patients. I couldn't be happier with the results! ... Not to mention the new office and decor are absolutely stunning. Everyone in the office is so friendly!"
"Love this place so much! They Have helped me with my kids but also myself. AMAZING!!!"
"Dr. Buxton is a great dentist!! He is thorough and patient. Really enjoy all of his staff too. They are all very professional. Highly recommend!"
Frequently asked questions
What is a mandibular advancement device?
It's a custom oral appliance, worn during sleep, that holds your lower jaw slightly forward. That position is designed to help keep the tongue and soft tissue from crowding the airway.
Can oral appliance therapy help with sleep apnea?
For some patients with obstructive sleep apnea, especially those who can't tolerate CPAP, an oral appliance may be an appropriate option. Your sleep physician helps decide whether it fits your diagnosis, and follow-up testing shows how you're responding.
Is an oral appliance the same as a night guard?
They can look similar, but they do different jobs. A night guard is designed to protect teeth from grinding. A mandibular advancement device is designed to reposition the lower jaw to support the airway during sleep.
Will an oral appliance change my bite?
Some people notice changes in their bite or jaw over time. That's one reason we check your bite and jaw joints at follow-up visits and adjust your appliance as needed.
Do I need a sleep study first?
For sleep apnea, yes. A diagnosis comes from sleep testing reviewed by a sleep physician. We can refer you to one we work with, or you can see a physician of your choice. If you don't have recent results, our at-home sleep ring is an easy place to start.
Where can I get a dental sleep appliance in Draper?
Toothpillow Breathing & Sleep Center is at 14203 Minuteman Drive #101 in Draper, UT. Call (801) 893-0234 to book an adult airway consultation with Dr. Buxton.
Treatments that often go together
CPAP Alternatives
If the CPAP is sitting in a drawer, you have options worth exploring, in coordination with your physician.
Learn more →
DOMEzero Expansion
Adult palate expansion paired with clear aligners from day one, designed to widen the upper jaw without the big front-tooth gap.
Learn more →
At-Home Sleep Test
A small ring you wear for a night in your own bed. The simple first step for most adults, reviewed with Dr. Buxton.
Learn more →Schedule your airway consultation
Book online or call. Consultations for kids, teens, and adults at our Draper office.
14203 Minuteman Drive #101
Draper, UT 84020
Just off I-15, minutes from IKEA
Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM
"Great place! They are doing it differently. Well done!"
Request Your Airway Consultation
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