How Oral Appliances can Help Treat Sleep Apnea

sleep apnea oral appliance

Sleep apnea can be a very frightening and worrying condition for those who suffer. The condition causes sufferers to breathe too low or to stop completely breathing. The apnea episodes can range from a second to a few minutes, and this can occur multiple times through the night. It’s true that sleep apnea is a very worrying condition. However, there are plenty of ways to treat this. One of the best ways is to use an oral appliance.

So how do you know if you suffer from sleep apnea? Some of the most common symptoms include fatigue during the day and headaches as soon as you wake up. You may also experience excessive snoring or choking as you sleep. Some other symptoms to watch out for are impaired vision and a sore throat.

Interested to find out more about these appliances and how they can help you enjoy a better night’s sleep? Then read on!

Thornton Adjustable Positioner

The Thornton Adjustable Positioner helps to keep the airway completely clear. Not only that but it can also improve the wearer’s quality of breathing. How does it do this? It simply opens the mouth and keeps the low jaw in a forward position. This is a removable appliance.

Elastic Mandibular Advancement

Elastic Mandibular Advancement works just in the same way as the Thornton Adjustable Positioner. However, it opens up the bit and also advances the mandible forward. This is beneficial for the patient as it increases airflow during sleep. Elastic Mandibular Advancement is also a removable appliance.

The Silent Nite sl

Another removable appliance that the sufferer can wear is the Silent Nite sl. This contraption uses S-shaped connectors. These are attached to upper and lower splints. Together, all these parts help to move the jaw forward. Each Silent Nite sl has to be individually fitted to the wearer for the best results. How does this device work? It increases the airway by opening the jaw and reduces the vibrations of soft tissues. The Silent Nite sl is made to fit each patient’s mouth individually. So wearers are guaranteed to have a night’s sleep without any discomfort. Not only that, though, but it also allows for small movements of the jaw.

If you think you may be suffering from sleep apnea, you should speak to your dentist as soon as possible. They can then see if you require treatment or not. If necessary, they will recommend a fitting for one of the mentioned oral appliances. As sleep apnea is a silent condition, it is very easy for patients not to realise that they suffer from it. Because of that, it can often go undiagnosed for quite some time. So if you have the smallest inclination that you may be suffering from it, you should speak to your dentist. However, he may have to refer you to a sleep medicine specialist to discuss your next steps. Don’t panic if you are diagnosed with sleep apnea. As you have read in this blog post, there are various ways to manage it.

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