A solution to snoring? Let's learn about oral appliances used for sleep apnea.

Do you snore loudly at night when you fall asleep? Or do you wake up feeling tired as if you haven't slept well? Does your partner sometimes tell you that you suddenly stop breathing in your sleep? These could be signs of something more serious than just snoring. That's a condition called Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Simply put, what is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?

Imagine, when we sleep, the soft tissue at the back of our throat relaxes a little, narrowing the airway ( windpipe ). Sometimes it closes completely. What happens then? Our body doesn't get the amount of oxygen it needs. To detect this, our brain wakes us up from deep sleep for a short while to start breathing again. This can happen hundreds of times in a day. But we don't even remember it.

So, many people know about the CPAP machine as a treatment for this. But not everyone is comfortable using it. Another effective method that can be used in such times is Oral Appliances, which are devices worn in the mouth.

So what are these Oral Appliances?

These are like a mouthguard, a special device that is custom-made for your mouth by a dentist. You put it in your mouth before going to bed at night and sleep. You can take it off when you wake up in the morning.

Its main function is to keep your jaw and tongue in a position that does not block your airway while you sleep. This makes breathing easier and reduces the number of times you wake up from sleep due to OSA.

What are the main types of these devices?

There are mainly two types of these devices.

1. Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs)

This is the most common type of brace used for OSA. It works by pushing your lower jaw (mandible) forward a little. When your lower jaw moves forward, your tongue, which is attached to it, also moves forward. This creates more space in the back of your throat for breathing. These braces are made of two separate parts, one for the upper and one for the lower teeth. The two parts are connected together so that you can adjust how far your lower jaw moves forward.

These MADs devices may differ from each other.

• Their size.
• The materials they are made of (some are soft, some are hard).
• How the two parts are connected.
• The amount of contact between the teeth when the mouth is closed.
• The distance the jawbone can be moved forward.

2. Tongue-Stabilizing Devices (TSDs)

This type of device uses a small bulb-like device to hold the tongue in place and pull it straight forward. The device uses suction to hold the tongue in place. The tip of the tongue is trapped inside the device, and the base of the tongue is pulled forward. This increases the space in the throat, making it easier to breathe.

Although these are not as well-known as MADs, they are a good option for those who cannot have a MAD due to low tooth strength.

Who are the best and worst people to use these?

These devices are not suitable for everyone, so it is important to talk to your doctor to determine if they are right for you. See the table below for who these devices are and are not suitable for.

How do I get a device like this?

There are some specific steps to achieve this.

1. First, you need to have a sleep study to confirm whether you have sleep apnea. Your doctor will refer you for it.

2. If the doctor decides that an Oral Appliance is suitable for you based on the test reports, he or she will refer you to a specialist dentist .

3. The dentist will take an impression or 3D scan of your teeth.

4. Based on that measurement, a specialized manufacturing facility will make the device that is right for you.

5. After the appliance is made, you will need to see the dentist again. There, they will check to make sure it fits your mouth properly and is secure enough to prevent it from falling out at night.

6. It also provides instructions on how to clean and care for it.

Sometimes, the doctor may recommend another sleep study after the device is inserted to see how effective it is.

How long does it take to get used to this? Are there any side effects?

It can take two to four weeks to fully get used to it. It may feel strange to have something in your mouth for the first few days. You can leave it in for a few hours at first and gradually increase the time you wear it.

There may be minor side effects in the first week or two, but they will go away once you get used to it.

• Short-term side effects:
• Excessive salivation in the mouth.
• Pain in the jawbone, teeth, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
• Dry mouth.
• Gum discomfort.

• Long-term side effects:
• Long-term side effects are rare when using a properly fitted, well-made appliance. If they do occur, they may include changes in tooth position, tooth mobility, or jaw muscle changes.