Sleep apnea is most commonly treated with the use of a CPAP machine. However, if you have mild to moderate sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend the use of an oral appliance to treat your apnea as they are less invasive and less difficult to get used to than a CPAP machine. They’re also thought to be really quite effective in treating sleep apnea and patient compliance levels are higher.
If your doctor decides to treat you with an oral appliance, they will refer you onto an orthodontist. An orthodontist is a person who specializes correcting teeth and jaw problems. All orthodontists will be able to treat you with an oral appliance and you don’t need to find one that specializes in treating sleep apnea. In most cases, your doctor will refer you onto an orthodontist that they think will be right for you, but if you have to find your own orthodontist, go to http://www.aadsm.org/FindADentist.aspx?1 and type your postcode into the search box. Alternatively, go to http://www.braces.org/FindAnOrthodontist/index.cfm and type your details into the appropriate boxes.
Commonly, your orthodontist will take a mold of your mouth and teeth so that your oral device can fit your mouth perfectly. Similarly to the way that you have to make a mold of your mouth for a mouth guard when playing sports, putty will be put into your mouth and you have to bite down on the putty, leaving an impression behind. These impressions will be sent to the manufacturers of the device you need, and they will then be able to make a device suitable for you.
The type of device your orthodontist recommends for you will depend on what is causing your apnea. If your jaw is in the wrong position, you’ll be treated with a mandibular advancement device to move the jaw forwards and downwards, widening your airways. If your tongue consistently falls into the back of your throat, you’ll be treated with a tongue-retraining device. There are a huge number of oral appliances on the market and which device you go for depends on the position of your teeth and jaw and also your health insurance.
For example, there are some oral appliances that are fully adjustable, so instead of you having to get a new device every 3-6 months, your appliance can be adjusted if required, so that you have incremental jaw advancement. Some appliances come with special framework that drastically reduces your chances of tooth movement, which is a really common problem with all oral appliances.
One of the absolute best devices on the market for treating sleep apnea is an MAD device named the SUAD device. It works by moving the lower jaw forwards to widen the airway, but it also has a patented framework that reduces the risk of tooth movement, and it is custom-fit so it is a comfortable product to wear. It is also non-restrictive and the individual being treated can open and close their mouth with ease, as well as speak clearly, yawn and swallow. Many devices are extremely restrictive, so this is a great choice.
If you feel that you need a device that lets you speak and swallow, mention that to your orthodontist. They will always try to find a device that works best for you and your circumstances and if that device is suitable for you, your orthodontist will try their best to accommodate. Always talk through any concerns you may have with your orthodontist and make sure to book a regular appointment with them to see how your oral appliance is working for you and to check if you need any adjustments. For more information on fitting an oral device, speak to your orthodontist.