Oral Appliance Therapy
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).
Sleep apnea appliances fall into two categories: fixed and adjustable. Here are brief descriptions of some commonly used sleep apnea dental appliances:
SomnoDent® Avant
SomnoDent® Avant™ is our most comfortable appliance ever. The upper and lower splints are computer designed and manufactured by robots to the shape of your teeth – using a single piece of dental acrylic – this makes the splints stronger, so they last longer.
The innovative design of the SomnoDent® Avant™ gently closes your mouth, so you breathe through your nose while you are sleeping. This eliminates snoring in most people, as well as preventing dry mouth, which is a common complaint with other oral appliances (and CPAP).
ProSomnus EVO
Wearing the ProSomnus device (like a mouthguard for your upper and lower jaw) holds your lower jaw gently forward and opens the airway in the back of your throat. This makes it less likely that the air rippling through the partially closed airway causes snoring and your breathing flows more easily. Most snorers have sleep apnea, but a few do not. This treatment is very effective for both sleep apnea and snoring.
ProSomnus Therapy is the latest advancement in sleep technology and is as effective, more comfortable and preferred over CPAP for many patients.
ProSomnus Therapy is ideal if you just can’t get comfortable with your CPAP, want to travel easily, or just don’t want to sleep with your face mostly covered.
Get the rest—and oxygen—your body needs with the precisely-designed ProSomnus Sleep and Snore Device. Created for both strength and comfort, this device is nearly unbreakable, yet has a profile so slim that you may forget you’re even wearing it.
Herbst Telescopic Appliance
The Herbst appliance is held in the mouth by clasps and friction grips. It is made of acrylic, and contains adjustable metal wiring. The advantage of this appliance is that the wearer is able to move vertically and laterally without dislodging the appliance. The Herbst appliance is usually used in mild and moderate cases of sleep apnea, and can also alleviate loud snoring effectively.
If you have questions or concerns about sleep apnea appliances, Give Us A Call 361.358.9782.
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