Choose the Best Sleep Apnea Dental Appliance

Why Many Sufferers Choose a Dental Appliance.

Sleep apnea is caused by a blockage of the airways during sleep and is a serious condition that can result in heart problems or stroke. There is a whole range of treatments from CPAP machines to surgery, but not every approach works for every person. A high percentage of people never get used to CPAP machines, surgery is painful and helps less than fifty percent of the people who try it.

A 2005 study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine* found that sleep apnea dental devices were an effective alternative to CPAP and recommended they be used as a first line of treatment in mild sleep apnea.

Since that advice was first offered by the AASM, many manufacturers have intensified their efforts to find effective devices suitable for as wide a range of people as possible.

_{*American Academy of Sleep Medicine issued this advice in 2005 offering this scientific review:http://www.aasmnet.org/Resources/PracticeParameters/Review_OralApplianceOSA.pdf}

Custom-made or Off the Shelf?

Custom-made devices fit better and have a far higher chance of working. The drawback, for many, is cost. The best devices cost more than $1500. On the other hand, very inexpensive off-the-shelf devices do the trick for many people. Where a product is available at Amazon, I have included a link.

A Custom-Made Device that needs no fitting by a Specialist

A new kind of sleep apnea dental device, called the Prosnore has also become available recently, that offers low cost for an individually made device.

• You sign up (around $150),
• They send you a kit that takes an impression of your teeth,
• You make the molds and send them back,
• They make an appliance that fits snugly.

You get find it here: http://prosnore.com/

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

There is a strong connection between snoring and sleep apnea but not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Only a sleep study can determine this.

Some devices that help people with snoring problems can also help with sleep apnea but it is risky to treat yourself without proper medical advice.

On the other hand, some people who do buy anti-snore products report that not only is snoring reduced (according to their sleep partners) but their quality of sleep improves.

Devices designed to help with Snoring that can also help with Sleep Apnea

Stop Snoring Mouth Piece - Anti Snore Device Sleep Apnea Cessation Aid

This is sometimes called a mandibular repositioning device in the medical literature. You use hot water to soften it and mold it to your teeth. It is popular with users who give it a 4 star rating at Amazon. The manufacturers say it is effective in reducing snoring in 95% of users. They also say that it is suitable for treating mild sleep apnea.

Tongue Retaining Device

This works by pulling the tongue forward. This is only effective for mild sleep apnea. A significant advantage is that it doesn’t require a fitting. It will also work for people who have few or no teeth.

It uses a suction cup device that sits between your teeth with a bulb protruding from your mouth. Your tongue is held inside the suction cup, keeping it from falling back.

This is not an easy product to find, which is a pity because it is one of the few devices which will work if you have weak or no teeth. You could inquire at a local pharmacy if you think it might help you,

FDA Approved for both snoring and OSA

Custom-made Sleep Apnea Appliances

ProSnore Snore Appliance

This is the device mentioned in the introduction. You use the supplied wax to take a mold of your teeth and send it to a lab. They manufacture a custom appliance and send it back to you. The designer of the device is a respected sleep physician and there are some good reviews of the product online. However, it is too new to have had anything like the feedback of most of the devices on this page.

http://prosnore.com/

The TAP (Thornton Adjustable Positioner)

This is the Rolls-Royce of sleep apnea dental devices. It works by locking over your teeth and then pulling the jaw forward so that the air passages in the throat are opened.

It has a metal skeleton of medical-grade stainless steel and an outer covering of thermoplastic polycarbonate that is very tough and durable. It is fitted over the teeth by a dentist and can be easily adjusted by a screw at the front that turns by hand.

The trick is to get the adjustment right. Too much and you can find you wake up with a very sore jaw. Too little and the apneas persist.

For people without enough teeth to securely hold the device, it is not a good option. Weak teeth can be pulled out of alignment, and damage to the jaw can result.

At $1500 and upwards, it is expensive but should be covered by insurance.

It has a very high rate of success despite the potential drawbacks. It is also under continual development. The latest TAP (TAP 3) makes it possible to take a drink of water while it is in place.

Airway Management have a lot of information on how these devices work and where to get one:http://www.amisleep.com/

Somnomed and Herbst Telescopic Appliance

There are two more fully adjustable devices similar to the TAP above.

Somnomed

More information here:http://www.somnomed.com.au/Home.aspx

Herbst

The Herbst Device can be adjusted by a dentist in tiny quarter millimeter increments for the best fit.

Some information here: http://www.louisvilledentalsleepmedicine.com/patientinformation/herbst.htm