Breathing difficulties during sleep can affect how rested and alert you feel during the day. At The Dental Studio, Dr. David Peterson and our team offer Vivos® breathing wellness treatment in Sandy, Utah, for qualifying children and adults with airway, sleep or jaw-development concerns.
The Vivos System uses customized oral appliance technology as part of an individualized treatment plan. Rather than using the same appliance for every patient, Dr. Peterson evaluates your oral structures, symptoms, dental development and sleep history to determine whether Vivos may be appropriate.
What Is Vivos Breathing Wellness Treatment?
Vivos breathing wellness treatment uses a customized removable appliance designed to support oral and jaw structures associated with breathing during sleep. The appliance is generally worn according to a prescribed schedule and adjusted throughout treatment as needed.
Depending on the patient and the specific appliance selected, treatment may be intended to support:
- Airway space and nighttime breathing
- Dental arch development
- Jaw and oral function
- Tongue posture
- More comfortable sleep
- Management of certain sleep-related breathing concerns
Vivos is not a single appliance or a one-size-fits-all program. The recommended device, wear schedule and treatment length depend on the patient’s age, diagnosis, oral anatomy and individual needs.
Who May Be Evaluated for the Vivos System?
A Vivos evaluation may be appropriate when a patient has symptoms or oral findings that suggest a possible airway or sleep-related concern.
Possible signs include:
- Frequent or loud snoring
- Restless or unrefreshing sleep
- Waking with a dry mouth or headache
- Daytime fatigue or difficulty concentrating
- Chronic mouth breathing
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Jaw tension or TMJ discomfort
- Crowded teeth or narrow dental arches
- Gasping or pauses in breathing during sleep
These signs do not confirm sleep apnea or another airway disorder on their own. They can have several causes and should be evaluated carefully.
A Comprehensive Airway and Sleep Evaluation
Your first visit begins with a discussion of your breathing, sleep quality, symptoms, health history and previous treatment. Dr. Peterson will also evaluate the teeth, bite, jaws, tongue position, oral tissues and TMJ function.
The evaluation may include:
- Assessment of dental arch width and tooth position
- Evaluation of jaw relationships and facial development
- Review of tongue posture and oral muscle function
- Examination for grinding, clenching or abnormal tooth wear
- Digital photographs or impressions
- Cone beam 3D imaging
- Coordination of at-home sleep testing when appropriate
Our practice can arrange for an at-home sleep study to be interpreted by a board-certified sleep physician. The physician determines whether sleep apnea or another form of sleep-related breathing difficulty is present.
How Vivos Treatment Works
If Vivos is recommended, an appliance is selected and customized for your oral anatomy and treatment goals. Our team will explain how to wear, clean and care for the device.
The appliance may be worn primarily during sleep, although some treatment plans may also involve limited daytime wear. Regular appointments allow Dr. Peterson to monitor fit, comfort, oral changes and treatment progress.
During follow-up visits, our dentist may:
- Evaluate how the appliance fits
- Make adjustments when needed
- Monitor the teeth, bite and jaw relationships
- Review changes in symptoms and sleep quality
- Coordinate repeat testing or medical follow-up when appropriate
Results and treatment timelines vary. Consistent appliance wear and regular monitoring are important parts of the process.
Vivos for Adults
Adults may be evaluated for Vivos when breathing and sleep concerns occur alongside dental or jaw-related findings. Some patients seek an evaluation because they have difficulty tolerating another treatment, while others want to understand the available oral appliance options.
Vivos should not be treated as an automatic replacement for CPAP, surgery or another physician-prescribed therapy. The most appropriate option depends on the diagnosis, severity of the condition, medical history and recommendations of the patient’s healthcare team.
When oral appliance therapy is appropriate, Dr. Peterson works within a collaborative care model that may include the patient’s sleep physician or other medical providers.
Vivos for Children
Children may display airway-related concerns differently from adults. Snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, grinding, crowded teeth or difficulty concentrating may prompt an evaluation.
For qualifying children, a Vivos appliance may be considered as part of a broader plan intended to support oral development, breathing and function while the child is growing.
Treatment recommendations depend on the child’s age, stage of dental development, symptoms and medical needs. Vivos does not guarantee that future orthodontic treatment will be unnecessary.
Parents may also wish to learn about the HealthyStart® System, another child-focused appliance option available at our practice. Dr. Peterson will explain how the systems differ and which approach, if either, is appropriate.
Vivos and Airway-Focused Dentistry
Vivos treatment is part of our broader airway dentistry approach. Airway-focused dentistry considers how the jaws, tongue, bite, oral muscles and dental arches may relate to breathing and sleep.
Dr. Peterson has completed extensive education in airway health, sleep dentistry, neuromuscular dentistry, TMJ care, myofascial pain and functional jaw relationships. He has trained at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies and with Dr. Prabu Raman in Kansas City, Missouri.
He is also a Fellow of the International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics and has served on its board for more than 17 years.
This background helps Dr. Peterson evaluate how airway, sleep, TMJ function and oral development may overlap while keeping each treatment plan specific to the patient.
Vivos Compared With Other Airway Treatments
Different treatments serve different purposes, and no single approach is right for every patient.
- CPAP therapy uses pressurized air to help maintain an open airway during sleep.
- Mandibular advancement appliances generally hold the lower jaw forward while they are being worn.
- Vivos appliances are selected according to the patient’s oral anatomy, diagnosis and treatment plan.
- HealthyStart appliances are designed for selected childhood developmental and functional concerns.
- Orthodontic treatment focuses primarily on tooth movement and bite alignment.
The best treatment depends on a complete dental and medical evaluation. Our team will explain the role, limitations and alternatives of any option we recommend.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vivos
What is the Vivos System?
The Vivos System includes customized oral appliances used as part of an individualized airway and sleep treatment plan. The selected appliance and treatment schedule depend on the patient’s age, oral anatomy, diagnosis and needs.
Is Vivos a sleep apnea treatment?
Certain Vivos appliances may be used for qualifying patients with diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. A board-certified sleep physician must diagnose the condition and help determine the appropriate treatment pathway.
Can a dentist diagnose sleep apnea?
No. Our dentist can evaluate oral signs, screen for possible concerns and coordinate sleep testing, but a qualified physician interprets the sleep study and makes the diagnosis.
Is Vivos the same as a night guard?
No. A standard night guard is generally intended to protect the teeth from grinding or clenching. Vivos appliances are selected for specific airway, sleep, developmental or oral-function goals.
Can children receive Vivos treatment?
Some Vivos appliances are designed for qualifying children. Dr. Peterson will evaluate the child’s dental development, oral structures, symptoms and health history before recommending treatment.
How long does Vivos treatment take?
Treatment length varies according to the appliance, patient age, condition being addressed, response to care and consistency of use. Dr. Peterson will discuss the expected timeline after completing the evaluation.
Does Vivos replace CPAP?
Not automatically. CPAP may remain the most appropriate therapy for some patients. Any change to a physician-prescribed treatment should be discussed with the diagnosing or managing medical provider.
How do I know whether I am a candidate for Vivos?
A consultation is required to assess your symptoms, oral anatomy, dental health and sleep history. Additional imaging, sleep testing or collaboration with a physician may also be needed before candidacy is determined.
Schedule a Vivos Consultation
If you or your child experiences snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, daytime fatigue or other possible airway concerns, our team can help you understand the available next steps.
Please contact our office or call 801-278-4787 to learn more about Vivos breathing wellness treatment in Sandy, UT, and schedule a consultation with Dr. Peterson.