DR SNORE STOP
ORAL APPLIANCES THAT ELIMINATE SNORING
ORAL APPLIANCES
There are basically two categories of oral appliances for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea:
1) Tongue Retaining Devices (TRDs)
2) Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs)
TRDs have an anterior bulb in the front. The tongue is placed in the bulb, a vacuum is created in the mouth with suction pulling and holding the tongue into the bulb. The difficulty is that holding the tongue in front of the lips for a whole night is very uncomfortable. Also, success with the TRD is dependent on the patient having a patent nasal airway. TRDs are not indicated and in fact virtually impossible to wear by patients who predominantly breathe through the mouth.
In the category of MADs there are basically two categories of appliances:
1) Tongue Restrictive (closed anterior)
2) Open Anterior
In the tongue restrictive category the adjustable mechanism is often situated in the front or the appliance. In this category either the adjustable advancement mechanism or the closed design of the appliance prevent advancement of the tongue as far forward as the lips.
In open anterior MADs the tongue is able to freely advance itself as far forward as the closed lips. There are neither restrictive adjustment devices nor closed acrylic design restrictions. Examples of each type are illustrated below.
1) Tongue Retaining Devices (TRDs)
2) Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs)
TRDs have an anterior bulb in the front. The tongue is placed in the bulb, a vacuum is created in the mouth with suction pulling and holding the tongue into the bulb. The difficulty is that holding the tongue in front of the lips for a whole night is very uncomfortable. Also, success with the TRD is dependent on the patient having a patent nasal airway. TRDs are not indicated and in fact virtually impossible to wear by patients who predominantly breathe through the mouth.
In the category of MADs there are basically two categories of appliances:
1) Tongue Restrictive (closed anterior)
2) Open Anterior
In the tongue restrictive category the adjustable mechanism is often situated in the front or the appliance. In this category either the adjustable advancement mechanism or the closed design of the appliance prevent advancement of the tongue as far forward as the lips.
In open anterior MADs the tongue is able to freely advance itself as far forward as the closed lips. There are neither restrictive adjustment devices nor closed acrylic design restrictions. Examples of each type are illustrated below.
