Snoring And Sleep Apnoea Appliances
Snoring and sleep Apnoea appliances are one of the options that you can use to treat snoring and mild or moderate sleep apnoea. They are also called Mandibular Advancement Splints (MAS). They look a bit like a mouth guard and are worn at night time only.
How Do Snoring And Sleep Apnoea Appliances work?
They position your lower jaw forwards, allowing your airway to open up more and there will be less of a chance that it will vibrate (snore) or obstruct.
What About Side Effects?
If fitted correctly, it should be comfortable most of the time. Some people may feel discomfort initially, but this tends to get better with prolonged use. Any discomfort is usually felt in the joint at the back of your jaw, just in front of the ear. This should soon go away when you take the appliance out in the morning. Other people may also find that there is increased saliva build up in the mouth, and that the teeth may feel tender. These symptoms should settle quickly with continuing use. Over the long term, there may be tooth movement, changes in your bite or problems with the joint and muscles of the jaw. It is important to have a regular check up with the dentist who supplied the appliance to detect these problems early so they can be dealt with.
How Can I Get One?
The first step is to see your general medical doctor who will refer you to a sleep specialist. The sleep specialist will determine how bad your snoring and sleep apnoea is. Usually to determine the severity, they will need you to do an overnight sleep study, which can be done at home or in a sleep lab. Once the results come out, the sleep specialist will talk to you about which treatment options are appropriate for your situation. If a snoring and sleep apnoea appliance is required, our dentists at Divine Dental Care are qualified to make the appliance for you.