Sleep Appliances
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).
Dr. Halls currently offers Silent Nite® Sleep Appliances:
Silent Nite® Sleep Appliance is flexible, thin and comfortable, BPA free, and it exhibits documented clinical success in mitigating or preventing the disruptive, unhealthy effects of snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea. The Silent Nite appliance is designed to gently shift the lower jaw forward in a therapeutic position during sleep, which activates the airway muscles and ligaments to prevent the airway from collapsing. Each Silent Nite case includes extra connectors, in various sizes, and an AM Aligner to aid patients in exercising and realigning the jaw after nighttime mandibular advancement.
Oral appliance therapy (OAT) is very effective in treating patients with sleep-disordered breathing, with a compliance rate shown to be as high as 90% over a 2.5-year period. OAT is associated with greater patient satisfaction than nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. In a randomized crossover trial comparing OAT to CPAP in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, about 81% preferred OAT.
Among patients with obstructive sleep apnea, both continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and mandibular advancement devices (MADs) were associated with reductions in blood pressure. Network meta-analysis did not identify a statistically significant difference between the blood pressure outcomes associated with these therapies.
A mandibular advancement device for obstructive sleep apnea has been shown to reduce nocturnal blood pressure in women.
If you have questions or concerns about sleep apnea appliances, please ask your dentist.
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