Fairlington Dental
Fairlington Dental
4850 31st Street
Suite A
Arlington, VA 22206
703-671-1001
More Dental Health Articles
The Vivos DNA Appliance
A Non-Surgical Approach To Treating Sleep Apnea and Snoring
Looking Beyond Symptom Management
If you snore, wake up exhausted, or have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, you may think your only treatment options are CPAP therapy or surgery. While both can be effective, they often focus on managing symptoms rather than addressing the underlying cause. In many cases, sleep-disordered breathing is related to limited space in the mouth and airway.
The Vivos DNA appliance offers a different approach. This custom oral appliance is designed to support upper jaw development and create more room for the tongue and airway. The goal is to support healthier breathing, better sleep, and improved airway function over time.
What Is the Vivos DNA Appliance
The Vivos DNA appliance, or Daytime-Nighttime Appliance, is a removable device similar to an orthodontic retainer. It is custom made to fit your mouth and worn for a prescribed number of hours during the day and night.
Unlike traditional oral appliances that simply reposition the lower jaw during sleep, the DNA appliance is designed to encourage gradual development of the upper jaw and surrounding structures. As the palate broadens and the dental arches develop, there may be more room for the tongue and improved support for the airway during sleep.
Rather than focusing only on symptom management, this approach is intended to support healthier airway function by improving the structure of the mouth and jaws.
How the DNA Appliance Supports Better Breathing
The upper jaw forms the floor of the nasal cavity and plays an important role in the amount of space available for the tongue and airway. When the palate is narrow, it can contribute to mouth breathing, snoring, crowded teeth, and reduced airway volume.
The Vivos DNA appliance uses light, intermittent forces intended to encourage gradual adaptation over time. As treatment progresses, patients may experience:
- Improved tongue posture
- Increased space in the upper jaw
- Better nasal breathing
- Reduced snoring
- Improved sleep quality
- Better airway support during sleep









