Sleep Apnea Appliances
Sleep apnea is a serious, sometimes fatal medical disorder that affects around 10% of American men over the age of 40, and 6% of American women of the same age. Sleep apnea sufferers completely stop breathing during sleep, sometimes hundreds of times in a single night. Normal breathing ceases because the airway becomes obstructed, causing a serious reduction of airflow to the lungs.
There are a number of dental devices that can be used to alleviate this condition. The goal of most of these devices is to separate the jaws and push them forward slightly. This slight repositioning opens up the airway, and allows oxygen to flow freely again. Wearers of sleep apnea dental devices report that they stop loud snoring, feel more rested in the daytime, and are much more comfortable going to sleep. Sleep apnea appliances work best on patients who are not significantly overweight. They offer a viable alternative to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).
The two main types of oral appliances for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are:
Mandibular advancement devices (MADs)
These devices fit over your teeth and pull your lower jaw forward. They are the most common type of oral appliance used to treat OSA.
Tongue-retaining devices (TRDs)
Also known as tongue-stabilizing devices (TSDs), these devices use suction to pull your tongue forward.
Other types of oral appliances include:
Herbst appliances
These appliances are designed to keep both the nasal and throat passages open during sleep.
Narval appliances
These appliances are made from a flexible material that gently shifts the jaw forward to keep the airway open.
At West Sound Dentistry we can take a digital scan to ensure that the oral appliance fits well. A customized oral appliance is more effective and generally more comfortable than a premade oral appliance. Our practice currently provides a family of devices through SomnoMed Oral Devices and ProSomnus Sleep Technologies.
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