Super Glossary of Sleep & Oral Appliance Terms

Expanded definitions to help patients, providers, and search engines alike.

Core Sleep Terms

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
  A condition where the airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep, causing breathing pauses and frequent awakenings. It can lead to serious health problems like high blood pressure, stroke, and fatigue.

• Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI)
  A measurement used to diagnose sleep apnea severity. It counts the number of apneas (complete pauses in breathing) and hypopneas (partial reductions) per hour of sleep.

• Snoring
  A vibration of soft tissues in the throat during sleep that can be a warning sign of airway obstruction or sleep apnea.

• Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)
  A sleep disorder involving increased effort to breathe due to a partially collapsed airway. Often underdiagnosed, it can cause fatigue and disrupted sleep despite a low AHI.

• Daytime Sleepiness
  A common symptom of sleep-disordered breathing, characterized by difficulty staying awake, poor focus, or unrefreshing sleep.

Diagnosis & Testing

• Home Sleep Test (HST)
  A portable device that tracks breathing, oxygen levels, and heart rate to diagnose sleep apnea from the comfort of your home.

• Polysomnogram (PSG)
  A comprehensive sleep study performed in a lab, measuring brain waves, breathing, heart rate, and muscle activity.

• Pulse Oximetry
  A test that uses a small device on the finger to monitor blood oxygen levels during sleep.

• Sleep Diary
  A log used to track sleep habits, patterns, and symptoms over time — often used alongside testing.

• Epworth Sleepiness Scale
  A quick questionnaire that helps measure how sleepy you are during typical daytime situations. A higher score suggests more severe sleep disruption.

Treatment Options

• Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)
  A custom mouthpiece that repositions the lower jaw or tongue to keep the airway open during sleep — a popular CPAP alternative.

• Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD)
  A specific type of oral appliance that gently moves the jaw forward to prevent airway collapse.

• NightLase® Therapy
  A laser treatment that tightens soft tissues in the throat to reduce snoring and mild sleep apnea without surgery or appliances.

• CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
  A machine that uses airflow through a mask to keep the airway open. Considered the gold standard for moderate to severe sleep apnea, but often hard for patients to tolerate.

• Tongue Retaining Device (TRD)
  An alternative oral appliance that holds the tongue forward during sleep to keep the airway open, often used when jaw advancement isn’t appropriate.

• Positional Therapy
  Treatment designed to prevent sleeping on the back (when apnea is often worse). Includes wearable devices and special pillows.

• Weight Loss & Lifestyle Changes
  Improving weight, diet, alcohol intake, and sleep hygiene can reduce apnea severity in some patients.

Insurance & Billing

• Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
  A classification used by insurance companies for medical devices like CPAP machines and oral appliances.

• CPT Code E0486

The medical billing code used for custom oral appliances that treat obstructive sleep apnea. Covered by most medical insurance when prescribed as a CPAP alternative.

• CPT Code 95800
  A billing code for unattended home sleep studies.

• Prior Authorization
  A process where your doctor’s office requests approval from insurance before a treatment (like oral appliances or sleep testing) is covered.

• Medical Necessity Letter
  A formal document explaining why a treatment (e.g. oral appliance) is required, often submitted to help get insurance coverage.

Provider & Referral Language

• Dental Sleep Medicine
  A specialty within dentistry that focuses on using oral appliances to treat sleep-related breathing disorders like snoring and OSA.

• Sleep Physician
  A doctor board-certified in sleep medicine who diagnoses and manages sleep disorders, often using polysomnography or home sleep testing.

• Interdisciplinary Care
  A collaborative approach between medical and dental providers to manage sleep disorders.

• Board-Certified Sleep Specialist
  A physician with formal certification in sleep medicine — typically interpreting HSTs and managing complex apnea cases.

• Co-Management
  A care model where a general dentist refers a patient to a sleep-focused practice for testing or oral appliances, then continues routine dental care.

Symptoms People Search For

• Waking Up Gasping for Air
  A common symptom of untreated sleep apnea where breathing suddenly stops and resumes during the night.

• Dry Mouth in the Morning
  Often linked to mouth breathing or poor airway function during sleep — can be a sign of OSA.

• Chronic Snoring
  Loud or disruptive snoring most nights, often associated with airway collapse during sleep.

• Fatigue Despite Full Night’s Sleep
  A common clue pointing toward undiagnosed sleep apnea or UARS.

• Jaw Pain & Morning Headaches
  Can be linked to clenching, sleep apnea, or poor oxygenation during sleep.