Custom Snoring & Sleep Apnea Appliances

Is my snoring a problem?

Sure, the raspy noise of snoring is an annoying and inconvenient  habit – but did you know that your snore can be more than  just a roar? It is estimated that over 50% of adult males and  30% of adult females may be affected by snoring. Snoring  usually occurs when your airway constricts, causing air to  be inhaled at an increased speed and pressure, making the  soft tissues in the back of your mouth vibrate and produce  that loud, annoying sound. Heavy, loud snoring can be a sign  of a more serious health problem called sleep apnea.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that causes your breathing  to stop repeatedly while you sleep. These breathing pauses  or "apneas" usually last 10 to 30 seconds and can happen  many times throughout the night. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep  apnea, which happens when your upper airway gets  blocked during sleep. Often, the blockage happens when  the soft tissue in the back of your mouth collapses and  closes during sleep. Relaxed throat muscles, a narrow  airway, a large tongue or extra fatty tissue in the throat can  also block your airway. Untreated sleep apnea is serious – it increases your risk  for high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. It also  contributes to learning and memory problems, poor job  performance, depression and a higher risk for car crashes  and accidents.

Am I at risk?

If your snoring is followed by silent pauses and daytime  sleepiness you might have sleep apnea. You may feel very  tired and sleepy during the day because your sleep is  disrupted throughout the night. You may even fall asleep at  the wrong times, for example while at work or while driving.  Sleep apnea is common and affects men, women and  children of all ages, with many people not even realizing  they have it. 

Signs of Sleep Apnea

• Choking or Stopping Breathing during Sleep
• Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
• Waking up Tired or Thirsty
• Limbs Jerk during Sleep
• Lack of Concentration
• Heavy, Loud Snoring
• High Blood Pressure
• Morning Headaches
• Fatigue

The soft structure of the throat vibrates as air is forced through a narrow airway, which produces the snoring sound.

The soft structure completely obstructs the airway. The patient stops breathing for more than 10 seconds and sometimes this can happen over 30 times per hour.

The dental appliance moves and maintains the lower jaw in a forward position. Air can flow normally.

Treatment Options

When you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, you are often told to practice good sleep hygiene, lose weight and exercise. You are also typically directed to medical and dental treatments, including: 

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure: CPAP Therapy generally requires you to wear a mask or nasal prongs over the nose and/or mouth, which are connected to an air pump. Although CPAP Therapy is the commonly prescribed option, many patients find it awkward, inconvenient and even claustrophobic. 

Oral Appliance Therapy: Oral appliances are similar to mouthguards in appearance. They reposition your lower jaw, tongue, soft palate and/or uvula so they sit slightly forward, in comfort. This opens the constricted airway. Oral appliances can be used alone or with other OSA treatment options. They are non-invasive and most, like The SUAD and Somnodent Device, are custom-fitted. Most patients and practitioners prefer Oral Appliance Therapy for its comfort, convenience and effectiveness. 

Surgery: Surgery, also known as Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, is the least prescribed treatment option. Depending on your condition, a specialist may find it necessary to surgically advance the jaw or remove excess tissues in the throat, such as tonsils and adenoids, the uvula or parts of the soft palate. Surgery is recommended when other options fail. A major drawback is its invasiveness; once surgery has been performed, its results cannot be reversed.
 

What are the SUAD and SomnoDent Dental Appliance?

The SUAD and SomnoDent dental appliances are premium dental sleep appliances developed for the treatment of  snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. It is an effective, comfortable, and durable alternative to  CPAP therapy or corrective surgery. By simply wearing either one of these appliances while sleeping,  your lower jaw (mandible) will be moved forward into a comfortable position, allowing  relaxation of the tissues at the back of your throat and ensuring the base of your tongue does  not collapse and block your airway, giving you a safe and soundless sleep.
 

 
Features and Benefits of the Sleep Apnea Dental Appliances

Non Restrictive in Movement: They allow for vertical and lateral mobility, allowing you to fully open  your mouth, yawn, drink, take oral medication, and even  speak clearly – without removing the appliance!  

Highly Adaptable: If you have missing teeth, teeth that  aren’t in correct position, crowns, bridge work, or even  wear a full upper denture, These appliances  can be  adapted to fit your mouth structure. Note: If you are missing  all of your lower teeth, you will not be a suitable candidate  for the device
 
Combination Use: They can conveniently be  used as a companion to your CPAP, allowing simpler mask  fitting, reduced CPAP pressure, and a compact alternative  for travelling. 
Preferred: These appliancesare ones that are favoured by many practitioners and patients throughout North America. 
 
Enduring Durability: These appliances are the only appliance  continuing to offer a two-year limited warranty

 
Sleep Apnea Dental Appliance vs CPAP Machine

Oral Dental Sleep Apnea Appliance

• Quiet - no machine noises
• Small, discrete, and convenient for travelling
• No hose attachments to get tangled in
• Speak, drink, take oral medication while wearing
• Unlimited sleep positions

CPAP Therapy

• Requires headgear and / or mask
• Available in standard sizes
• Requires electricity
• Must be disconnected to get out of bed

Click here to read a New York Times Article discussing Snoring and Sleep Apnea.