TMJ Therapy
We utilize the N.T.I. appliance for treatment of Migrane headaches, tension headcahes and TMJ (jaw joint) problems. This rather simple appliance helps tense muscles that open and close the jaw to relax by interrupting the trigger mechanisms that can cause headaches or painful muscle spasms.
These muscle spasms can bring the teeth into contact wuth up to six times the amount of force exerted upon the system during normal chewing function leading to a variety of dental problems that can change the function of a healthy jaw joint. It also can result in tooth pain, jaw pain, neck pain, and even migrane headaches.
This custom made nightguard is also appropriate for many who have wear on their teeth fom grinding at night and have trouble tolerating a larger appliance.
To learn more, click here. (www.headacheprevention.com)
Anti-Snoring Guards
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a breathing disorder, which occurs during sleep, due to the narrowing or total closure of the airway.
is when the airway becomes completely blocked and breathing stops. The brain then detects the lack of oxygen and prompts a momentary arousal to draw breath. Although OSA sufferers may experience hundreds of apnea episodes per night, they are unlikely to remember any of them. In fact, if the sufferer lives alone or sleeps separately they may not be aware of their condition, even after many years.
and is a noise created by the partial blocking of the airway. When you fall asleep your muscles relax, including those that control the tongue and throat. The soft tissue at the back of your throat can sag, narrowing the airway. Incoming air then makes the tissue at the rear roof of the mouth (the soft palate), the flap of skin hanging from the palate (uvula) and the throat vibrate – a sound we know as snoring.
Snoring is often no greater problem than the noise itself. However, loud snoring may be a sign of a more serious problem – OSA.
OSA is notoriously under-diagnosed with less than 25% of cases in the community being identified 1.
If you answer yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering fom sleep apnea and it is essential that you seek the right treatment option.
Did you know?
OSA is a serious medical condition that can have a significant impact on quality of life, placing unnecessary strain on relationships between bed partners, family and the work place. If you have been heard to gasp for breath at night, are excessively sleepy during the day, or display symptoms of OSA you should consult your general practitioner, sleep specialist or ENT surgeon. Some of these symptoms are:
Is the SomnoDent® MAS the right treatment option for me?
Severity of OSA.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend the use of oral devices such as the SomnoDent® MAS for mild-to-moderate OSA (AHI < 25), or for patients with severe OSA who are either unable to tolerate CPAP or refuse treatment with CPAP.
Body Mass Index.
If BMI is below 30 (which means that a person is not obese) the probability that the device will work is higher.
Your dentition.
SomnoMed defines good dentition as at least 6 teeth on the lower mandible with no periodontal disease.
These three indicators offer a good guide to screening patients for oral device therapy and may increase the efficacy outcome of the treatment.
When is it worn?
The SomnoDent® MAS is worn when you sleep. The device is very discrete, allowing you to close your lips so it is not obvious that you are wearing it.
Is it comfortable?
You won't find a more comfortable MAS. Why? Because it is custom made to fit your mouth and it does not impinge on your tongue. You can open and close your mouth normally as the SomnoDent® MAS does not lock or fix your jaws together (like other MAS appliances).
What will the dentist do?
On your first visit, the dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth and mouth and may use X-rays to confirm your oral health status, as well as ensuring that you are dentally appropriate for the device. Dental impressions are required to fabricate a SomnoDent® MAS. They are taken, and sent to our laboratory where the appliance is made. Once custom made for you, the appliance will be inserted by a dentist who will show you how to insert and remove it yourself, as well as how to clean and care for it.
What is an oral appliance?
An oral appliance is a small device, similar to an orthodontic retainer or an athletic mouthguard. It is worn in the mouth during sleep to prevent the soft throat tissues from collapsing and obstructing the airway. Some appliances hold the lower jaw forward during sleep while others have direct effect on tongue position. Oral appliances relieve snoring and may treat OSA by realigning the jaw and/or tongue in relation to the head. Although oral appliances do not work on everybody, a well-made, well-fitted appliance may reduce or eliminate snoring, and may significantly relieve symptoms of OSA.
Are oral appliances effective?
Oral appliances were first utilized in the 1930's to help people breathe properly during sleep. By the 1980's, physicians and dentists began to seriously study the effectiveness of oral appliances to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea and found them to be effective in many, but not all cases. Recent studies show oral appliances to be effective in treating snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. The SomnoDent® MAS has also been shown to effectively treat severe obstructive sleep apnea in some cases. The SomnoDent® MAS is the only oral device to have TGA and FDA approval in Australia.
How effective is the SomnoDent® MAS?
One of the major advantages of the SomnoDent® MAS is improved patient compliance. The ability to freely open the mouth, speak and drink with the splint fitted is a quantum leap forward in this type of medical treatment. 95% of patients with proven OSA stated they would like to continue using the SomnoDent® MAS 1,2 83% of patients reported improvement in sleep quality with the SomnoDent® MAS2 86% of patients reported nightly use of the SomnoDent® MAS 2 .
Are all Oral Devices as good as each other?
No. There is a range of such devices available, some of which are not custom-made or adjustable. Most are either uncomfortable, ineffective or both. The unique design of the SomnoDent® MAS greatly enhances comfort, with clinical research backing its effectiveness.
What is the SomnoDent® MAS?
The SomnoDent® MAS is a custom made medical device, designed to hold your lower jaw (mandible) forward while you sleep. This tightens the muscles of the upper airway to allow easier breathing. The SomnoDent® MAS is a type of oral appliance, a mandibular advancement splint, comprised of upper and lower dental plates with a unique patented fin coupling component, which allows normal mouth opening and closing. The device titrates easily to achieve comfortable usage. The SomnoDent® design has a number of key features which represent quantum improvements on existing MAS devices. These improvements make the device both more comfortable and effective. SomnoDent® is now recognized globally by an expanding group of sleep dentists as the MAS Gold Standard. It is used for the treatment of simple snoring, as well as obstructive sleep apnea.
My husband snores. Where can I find an oral appliance?
Oral appliance therapy to treat snoring should be provided by an experienced dentist. A qualified dentist near you can be located by calling SomnoMed on 1-888-447-6673. Our dentists work closely with sleep physicians to treat snoring and OSA in the most effective way. If daytime drowsiness is a concern, a referral to a sleep physician can be arranged through your family doctor.
What if I have a bridge or denture?
Patients with crowns or bridges can be successfully fitted with SomnoDent® MAS appliances. Adjustments are made in the appliance to ensure that fragile crowns and bridges are not harmed. Patients with crown and bridge work may prefer SomnoDent® MAS Flex that has a soft lining inside and is more gentle for your teeth.
Sufficient healthy teeth are required in order to use an oral appliance. Most devices require at least 10 good teeth both upper and lower jaws. The SomnoDent® MAS appliances require fewer teeth to be effective. Patients with partial dentures may be successfully fitted with the SomnoDent® MAS, as long as there are sufficient teeth on the lower arch for optimal retention.
The MAS may be fitted over dental implants. However, we recommend using SomnoDent® MAS Edentulous designed for patients with no upper teeth and made from either acrylic or flex. An edentulous upper splint covers the palate in the same way as a full upper denture secured by suction and made to oppose a lower splint. Due to the unique two piece coupling mechanism, there is no downward pull on the upper splint.
This advantage allows edentulous patients to enjoy the benefits of a SomnoDent® MAS. Please note as a recommended minimum pre-requisite for SomnoDent® MAS Edentulous the patient should have six teeth in the low jaw.
Can it be adjusted?
Yes. The SomnoDent® MAS features medical grade stainless steel screws on the side of the appliance to provide incremental levels of jaw advancement. This optimizes the effectiveness and comfort-level of treatment, as the jaw is moved only as far as required to alleviate snoring and OSA.