From Mouthguards to Mandibular Advancement Devices: The Latest and Greatest in Dental Devices for Sleep Apnoea

Is your or your partner’s sleep quality suffering because of your loud snoring? Snoring can be more than a nuisance, as around 10% of women and 25% of men have a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnoea or OSA. OSA is characterised by snores, grunts and gasps and by frequent pauses in breathing. Breathing ceases because the throat muscles relax, allowing the airway to become temporarily obstructed. OSA can leave people feeling tired, ill-rested and at risk of serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure and depression.

Various devices can treat sleep apnoea successfully. More severe sleep apnoea often requires a continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP). You wear a small mask while sleeping that pumps a continuous flow of air, holding your airway open. While effective, these machines can be tricky to use comfortably. Dental devices can often work very well for people with mild to moderate OSA or anyone who finds using a CPAP machine too challenging. These devices include the following.

Mandibular Advancement Devices

These devices are made from a hard plastic material and fit over your upper and lower teeth. They can have hinges that are tightened so the device holds your lower jaw in a forward position, helping to keep the airway open.

Somnodent is a good example of a high-quality mandibular advancement device. It is specifically designed to be comfortable to use, and you can talk and open and close your mouth while wearing this device. It is very effective and can help protect your general health by reducing the risk of serious health complications associated with sleep apnoea. Somnodent is made from the highest quality acrylic material that is odourless and taste-free. Because it is made from premium material, it is strong and durable.

Mouth Guards

Mouth guards also help to hold your lower jaw forwards, but to a lesser degree than mandibular advancement devices. These devices can be custom created by a dentist. Alternatively, you can buy boil-and-bite mouthguards, where you soften the device in hot water for a minute before biting down and moulding it around your teeth the best you can. However, a boil-and-bite mouthguard is not very accurate nor comfortable to wear, so it’s far better to invest in a good quality device that is custom fitted.

Tongue Retaining Devices

A tongue retaining device is a soft plastic splint that fits around your tongue, placing it in a forward position so it cannot flop backwards during sleep and block your airway. Unsurprisingly, these devices are not very comfortable to wear and tend to leave you with a very dry mouth.

A proper sleep study is the first stage in enjoying a good night’s sleep. This can be carried out in the comfort of your own home and ensures you receive a proper diagnosis so you can get the correct treatment, if required, such as a custom-fitted Somnodent device that will allow you to breathe freely and easily all night long.