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A sleep apnea oral appliance is a small device that resembles an orthodontic retainer, but it is much more advanced. It is custom made to fit the upper and lower jaws of the patient in such a way to prevent the soft throat tissues from collapsing and obstructing the airway. Some sleep apnea oral appliances put pressure on the tongue to do this, while others move the lower jaw forward to put just enough tension on soft throat tissues to keep the breathing passage open.
The type of device we most frequently distribute to our patients is the SomnoDent MAS™. This device uses mandibular advancement (the extension of the lower jaw) to keep air passageways open. Of all the devices of its kind, it has received some of the highest clinical reviews and has been documented to treat some cases of severe OSA in addition to the mild and moderate cases that other oral devices typically treat. Research conducted by the Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at the St. George Hospital of Sydney have verified a high level of acceptance and tolerance of this particular OSA treatment device. It and other sleep apnea oral appliances have also been recommended as the first line of defense against snoring, and the first option to try in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
A custom-made sleep apnea oral appliance will have different results for different patients. For some, it is sometimes all that is needed to treat mild to moderate cases of OSA. Some patients with severe OSA have also reported that this device relieved their symptoms with an effectiveness equivalent to that of their CPAP machine. For others, a sleep apnea oral appliance works better for the elimination of severe snoring. Much depends on the manufacture of the device and the way it works to correct the cessation of breathing.
We have to be quick to point out here that there is absolutely nothing wrong with CPAP treatment. In terms of patient comfort however, a compressed air machine that manages breathing through a tightly adjusted face mask can make it difficult to sleep. Many people fail to completely comply with prescribed CPAP usage all together. One Houston woman recently gave up on the machine and stored it in her closet, while her husband continues to use his machine faithfully every night. As we can see from the example of this couple, compliance with CPAP is strictly a matter of choice and due diligence. For individuals looking for an alternative, the SomnoDent MAS ™ has proven the only workable alternative to CPAP.
There are a number of key advantages that the SomnoDent MAS ™ sleep apnea oral appliance offers to OSA patients. For one thing, the device allows you to open and close your mouth normally. While you cannot eat with the device in your mouth, you can drink fluids and speak normally. This device is also more comfortable than competing models because it puts no pressure on the tongue. It is therefore more discreet. Finally, the SomnoDent MAS ™ allows you for adjustment both forward and backward, allowing the device to be set to the highest level of customization, and thus optimal chances for success, specific to the needs of the individual patient.
Due to the custom and precision nature of the SomnoDent MAS ™ sleep apnea oral appliance, it can only be purchased from a dentist who is authorized to distribute it. Appropriate medical diagnosis of sleep apnea must first be made by a medical professional, and a treatment plan that includes use of the device must be developed by the dentist. The professionals at our center normally make 3-4 of these devices per month for OSA patients. If you are suffering from sleep apnea and have found CPAP an uncomfortable or unworkable option for treatment, why not consider this innovating and highly advanced oral appliance as your best opportunity for a good night’s sleep and better overall help?
Cosmetic Dentistry is a specialized field that requires extensive knowledge and experience to be done correctly. The Medical Center Dental Group in Houston, Texas brings all of that and more to the direct benefit of each and every patient we treat. Although we are located in the world famous Houston Medical Center at Scurlock Towers, we routinely see dental patients who travel from Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Beaumont Midland and Houston, Texas to see Dr. Dale Brant, Dr. Charles Campbell or Dr. Elizabeth O’Sullivan-Winslow for their cosmetic denistry services.
For any other questions related to cosmetic dentistry, you can Contact Us at 713.795.5905, visit our Dental Blog or Ask the Dentist
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