Occlusal Splints and Appliances for Snoring and Sleep Apnoea.
Are you getting headaches and waking up with your teeth on edge?
Have you been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea or do you snore?
One of these dental appliances could help you with these common issues.
Occlusal Splints
It’s very common to grind or clench your teeth. It’s our body’s way of working through stress and anxiety. It often happens at night when you’re asleep, so you may be completely unaware of it happening. There are common symptoms like waking up with tightness through your cheeks or the joints of your jaws. You may have frequent headaches around your temples or all your teeth may feel on edge. Your dentist may spot signs of wear on the edges of your front teeth or on the chewing surfaces of your back teeth.
An occlusal splint can help prevent further wear of your teeth. The heavy forces that clenching and grinding can put on your teeth can lead to the development of cracks in your teeth and fractures of both your teeth and fillings. Wearing an occlusal splint at night can help to prevent this kind of damage to teeth.
Appliances for Snoring and Sleep Apnoea
Sleep Medicine has advanced and we are now more aware then ever of the importance of a good night’s sleep. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and snoring not only mean the sufferer gets a poor night’s sleep, often their partner does too! Our health suffers from poor sleep, it’s not something to take lightly. The airway becomes restricted in people with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and snoring when they lie down. The airway becomes very narrow as the lower jaw slumps back in sleep so that we don’t get enough air or we start to snore.
A mandibular advancement splint (MAS) holds the lower jaw in a forward position so the airway can be more open. A MAS can be worn over your teeth and even over your dentures. It can improve your snoring and it may be an alternative to your CPAP machine. Your dentist can provide a MAS in consultation with a Sleep Doctor to ensure that your have excellent care for your medical problem.
Dr Andrew Mackenzie of Brisbane Orthodontics visits our practice regularly. Call Brisbane Orthodontics on 3229 3372 to schedule an appointment.