The oral appliances prevent the tongue from moving, and they keep the airway open while they sleep. They look similar to the mouth guards that athletes use to protect your teeth Mouthpiece must be placed in the mouth at night, before going to bed, and using it all time you are sleeping (you do not have to use it during the day).
How do buccal devices work?
Mouth appliances push or pull the lower jaw forward. By doing this, the tongue is in a position where it does not block the airway, and this reduces the risk of it vibrating (it heard as snoring) or the tongue obstructing the airway while he sleeps. If this device is helping you, the sound of snoring should diminish or disappear entirely.
How capable are the mouthparts?
As with all treatments, not all of them receive the same benefit of the oral devices. For some, Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and snoring disappear entirely, while others they need other forms of treatment. It is more likely the mouth appliance works if you have sleep apnea mild or moderate. If your sleep apnea improves when lying on your side (compared to lying down) on the back) and if he is not overweight, he is also more likely to benefit from this device. If you have central sleep apnea (a condition not as common as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome), then it is expected that the mouthparts will not help. Until Do not order an oral device and try it, nobody knows whether it will serve you or not.
How well do the mouth appliances work compared with CPAP?
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a safe treatment for combating sleep apnea. In general, immediate results observed with CPAP. It works very well for almost everyone who uses it, regardless of the severity of the apnea dream. In general, a buccal appliance will improve your apnea of the idea, but may not control it completely. If you have mild or severe sleep apnea, it is more likely to be corrected by CPAP instead of a device oral. Oral devices are also not the treatment if you have significant heart disease or he is very sleepy during the day. In these cases, the CPAP It is the best treatment. A sleep specialist can guide you regarding the most appropriate treatment for you.
Does using oral apparatus cause side effects?
If you have the correct measurement, the mouthpiece should be comfortable at night. However, as its function is to push the jaw forward, some people they feel discomfort when they use the device for the first time. This annoyance tends to improve your use. To feel discomfort, it will be in the joint of the part of the jaw, just in front of the ear (the joint temporomandibular). The trouble should disappear when the appliance removed in the morning. For others, oral appliances increase the accumulation of saliva in the mouth, or their teeth are sensitized. These symptoms often resolve quickly as you continue to use the device. Over time, you can move your teeth, can change the bite or present problems in the joint and muscles of the jaw.
How can I get an oral appliance?
Your doctor can send you to a sleep specialist, who will find out the severity of his apnea of the dream. In general, this evaluation requires a study throughout the night, after which you will have an appointment follow up with your sleep specialist to talk about the results of the research and possible options for treatment. If you decide to try an oral appliance, the specialist of the dream will refer you to a specialized dentist in the treatment of sleep apnea.
Should the device have a specially sized adapted for me?
The mouth and the shape of the jaw of each person are different, so I should order a mouthpiece with the right size for you. The dentist will perform an impression of the teeth (a dental mold) and send it to the laboratory where they will create the device. This usually takes a few weeks When you put the device, what will adjust so that you move your jaw forward, in a position that will be effective but at the same time comfortable. The device may have screws to adjust more the position of the device in the mouth in the following weeks. The dentist will help you oversee this adjustment. A once the device adjusted correctly, it will be necessary for make follow-up visits to the dentist or specialist of the dream.
There are some types of dental devices, which are free (does not need a recipe) and cheaper, but, in general, they do not work. It is important that you purchase a device appropriate for you to help you with your problem for sleeping.
How should I take care of my buccal apparatus?
Every night, you should brush and clean your teeth with dental floss before placing the appliance. It can accumulate tartar in a device in the same way that in the teeth. Therefore, wash it carefully every day and make sure you dry it well before using it again. Also, keep the device in a safe place, away from the reach of children and pets.
How do I know if the mouthpiece is working?
If the buccal apparatus works well, you should not snore. If you use the appliance because of sleep apnea, it is possible that observe an improvement in drowsiness, fatigue and other symptoms of this condition. An excellent way to find out if the mouthpiece is giving you the help you need is to repeat the sleep study all night with the mouth appliance placed. If the research shows that the use of the mouthpiece has helped him with sleep apnea, I should continue using it every night. If you are not helping, they recommended other treatments (such as CPAP).
What should I do if my buccal apparatus seems not to be working well?
If the symptoms of snoring or sleep apnea return to appear (for example, you feel tired during the day), it is important that you have a follow-up appointment with the dentist or the sleep specialist. Maybe the dentist you must adjust the device. After several years, some people who used an oral device feel the need to think about other treatments for your apnea dream.