What is a Highly Efficient Sleep Apnea Dental Appliance, and how does it work?
Have you been diagnosed with OSA and found it hard to use a CPAP machine? Sleep apnea dental appliances are an effective solution for you. These devices are put into the mouth at night before sleeping. You also need to wear them for the entire night and remove them when you are away.
These removable oral devices fit the same as a sports mouthguard or orthodontic retainer. Dental appliances for sleep apnea grip the tongue and pushes the jaw forward. They prevent the airway from collapsing. These oral appliances are portable, simple, and comfortable. Ensure you get a custom sleep apnea oral appliance for you today. This post will dig into the highly effective oral appliance for sleep apnea.
Who Might Benefit from a Dental Device for Sleep Apnea?
Experts recommend sleep apnea dental devices to adults that:
- Snore but have no signs of OSA (obstructive sleep apnea).
- They are not able to bear the hassle of CPAP therapy.
Types of Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea
Usually, dental appliances are used for adults suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. The third device is for kids. Your sleep specialist will prescribe you the oral appliance. Sometimes, the dentist or an orthodontist handles it.
Below is the different dental equipment for sleep apnea available today:
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- Mouth Guards
Same as MADs, mouthguards help position the lower jaw at nighttime but to a lesser degree. They offer a large airway and help in preventing breathing issues during sleep.
These guards are easy to use and a comfortable alternative for individuals with OSA. They are also ideal for those that cannot bear the discomfort of CPAPs. An orthodontist or dentist must fit these devices.
You can get a custom-made mouthguard for you or a loved one at Talent Dental. There are two types of guards. Both work differently to open the upper airway. They include tongue-retaining devices and mandibular repositioning mouthpieces.
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- a) Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD)
MAD is the most commonly used mouth appliance for sleep apnea. It snaps over the lower and upper dental arches. It has metal screws and hinges that can be tightened to push the lower jaw ahead. These oral appliances are manufactured using molded hard plastic. The patient needs to insert the device before going to bed and then eliminate it in the morning.
Mandibular advancement devices help in lowering daytime sleepiness and snoring frequency. MADs are now available in many shapes, colors, and materials. But the expert can also customize them to fit the mouth of a specific individual. These oral devices are portable. Moreover, patients can sleep in any position they like, not leading to an itchy or dry nose.
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- b) Tongue-Stabilizing Device (TSD)
Are you finding a simple and fast solution for snoring? Then, TSDs (also known as tongue-retaining devices) are an ideal solution. Tongue stabilizing devices and mandibular advancement devices are the same in design. The difference is that the latter moves the tongue forward using suction. It helps in keeping the tongue base from clogging the airway.
These devices can also be tailored to the mouth of a person. Research claims that tongue-stabilizing appliances enhance daytime fatigue and minimize gaps in breathing. They extend the tongue and improve the upper airway functioning and structure while sleeping.
Unlike mandibular advancement devices, these mouthpieces are flexible, simple, and cost-effective. Tongue-retaining mouthpieces are recommended for individuals whose jaws fail to position for sleep using MADs.
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- Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME)
RMEs are orthodontic devices used in children with obstructive sleep apnea. They help in opening the airway by expanding the mouth roof. Compared to other oral appliances for sleep apnea, patients need to wear them 24/7.
Rapid Maxillary Expansion devices include wearing a customized expander that fits over the top of the back teeth. Studies claim that RMEs lower signs of OSA in most children and cure it in about 25% of kids that use it.
Get Help for Your Obstructive Sleep Apnea Today
One of the huge disadvantages of CPAP machines for sleep apnea is that patients have an itchy nose when they awake. Our experts use the best oral appliance for sleep apnea. Since there are no wires or cores, you can wear the oral appliance comfortably.