People having disturbed sleep due to sleep apnea may result to daytime sleepiness, irritation, mood swings, body weakness, dizziness and even to diseases such as high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease.
A sleep apnea dental device is an oral apparatus which is one solution in correcting a disorder called sleep apnea. Dental devices are developed to keep the air passage open so patients can continuously breathe with more ease during sleep. This is the best alternative to patients who are uncomfortable using CPAP machines as the dental device is smaller and easier to use. This device can treat mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea. There are different sleep apnea dental devices to choose from. Orthodontists will fit the right kind of dental device to the patient.
Patients who are interested in using a sleep apnea dental device are first screened by orthodontists. This stage will help determine patients if they really are candidates for dental device usage. Those who are advised to use the product will get exact measurements of the mouthpiece for better comfort.
Two of the most popular dental devices which combat sleep apnea are MAD and TRD. The most used type is the MAD or the mandibular advancement device and is now also referred to as the mandibular repositioner. This device looks like the typical mouth guard used in sports and is the most commonly chosen dental piece for sleep apnea. This MAD device pushes the lower jaw forward and down in a moderate motion resulting to an opened airway while used at night. It softens the throat tissues and prevents them from collapsing and disturbing the airway which then also reduces the loudness of snoring. TRD which is another type is a splint which keeps the tongue in place during sleep to ensure that the air passage is as open as possible. A proper consultation to physicians is a must as early as possible to have a custom fit device while the continued check-ups are conducted to ensure that the device functions its purpose. Adjustments and replacing the device from time to time may be required.
Great advantages of the dental device are the excellent acceptance of the product as it is easy to use, the cost is affordable with lots of manufacturers to select from, very user friendly and can be use in any place you are.
Patients using these dental devices are recorded to benefit from the reduction of sleep apnea occasions especially to patients who are more comfortable sleeping on their stomachs and backs. Dental devices also enhance the airflow even to patients suffering from severe cases of apnea. Creating a better airflow, it then results to proper undisturbed sleep and elimination of snoring frequency and loudness. It has also been concluded that persons who uses sleep apnea dental devices while using a CPAP machine at the same increases compliance rates.
In a review conducted in 2006, it was concluded that dental devices help in controlling sleep apnea by 52% of the population of treated patients while long term usage achieved a record of 81% rate in improving apnea.
Therefore, if you are one of those having difficulties breathing during sleep, are diagnosed of sleep apnea and are uncomfortable using breathing machines, the sleep apnea dental device might just be the right choice for you.
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