Snoring & Sleep Appliances.
"A custom-fitted oral appliance, worn at night, that holds the jaw forward to keep the airway open."
A sleep appliance is a custom-fitted oral device worn at night. It holds the lower jaw slightly forward of its resting position, which helps keep the airway open and reduces the vibration in the soft tissue that causes snoring.
"Custom-fitted, worn at night, designed to keep the airway open."
Sleep Appliances
A sleep appliance, sometimes called a mandibular advancement device, is a custom-fitted oral appliance worn at night. It holds the lower jaw slightly forward of its resting position. This advances the soft tissue at the back of the throat, opens the airway, and reduces the vibration that causes snoring.
Sleep appliances are used for two related but distinct purposes. The most common is simple snoring, where the goal is to reduce or eliminate the noise. The second is mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnoea, where the appliance is one of two recognised treatments, alongside CPAP. For sleep apnoea, the appliance is fitted on the basis of a medical diagnosis, usually from your GP or a sleep specialist.
Sleep appliances suit several different patients.
If you snore but otherwise sleep well, a sleep appliance can reduce or eliminate the snoring noise, often substantially. The appliance holds the jaw in a position that prevents the soft tissue vibration that causes the sound.
- Adults who snore habitually and want to reduce or eliminate the noise.
- Adults with diagnosed mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnoea who prefer an oral appliance, or who can't tolerate CPAP.
- Patients with diagnosed sleep apnoea where a sleep specialist has recommended an appliance.
- Adults with healthy teeth and gums to support the appliance.
- Suspected but undiagnosed sleep apnoea, where we'd ask you to speak to your GP first.
- Severe sleep apnoea, where CPAP is the recognised first-line treatment.
- Active gum disease or unstable dentition, where we treat the cause first.
- Significant TMJ pain or jaw joint dysfunction.
- Insufficient healthy teeth to anchor the appliance securely.
- Children and teenagers, who are not typically candidates.