---
title: "What Is Obstructive sleep apnea? Dental Glossary"
description: "Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which the upper airway is blocked partly or fully during sleep, causing pauses in breathing."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/obstructive-sleep-apnea
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Conditions

# Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which the upper airway is blocked partly or fully during sleep, causing pauses in breathing.

With obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), your upper airway is blocked partly or completely when you are sleeping. Breathing pauses can repeat during the night. OSA can keep you from getting the good night's rest you need.

OSA is a medical condition, so a doctor guides its diagnosis and treatment.

Providers may recommend an oral appliance if you cannot use a CPAP machine. These appliances work by pulling the jaw or tongue forward while you sleep to open the airway. A dental appliance for sleep apnea is different from a [night guard](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/night-guard), which protects teeth from grinding. See also [bruxism](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/bruxism-teeth-grinding).

## Related terms

-   [Night guard](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/night-guard)
-   [Bruxism (teeth grinding)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/bruxism-teeth-grinding)
-   [Occlusal splint](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/occlusal-splint)
-   [Dry mouth (xerostomia)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dry-mouth-xerostomia)
-   [Mandible](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/mandible)

## Sources

1.  [Cleveland Clinic: Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea: Benefits & How They Work](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21129-oral-appliance-therapy-for-sleep-apnea)
2.  [Cleveland Clinic: Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea: Benefits & How They Work](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21129-oral-appliance-therapy-for-sleep-apnea)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)