If you are searching for the seven best sleep apnea oral appliances in 2022, you are in the right place. Are you’re suffering from sleep apnea and can’t get a decent night’s sleep? Imagine what it would be like to wake up refreshed, have more energy, and improve your health. Now it’s possible without the cumbersome CPAP machine. Sleep apnea dentist Dr.Lindner can provide you with a customized oral appliance to be worn at night. The sleep appliance fits precisely on your teeth like orthodontic retainers and is very comfortable. Providing a system of repositioning your jaw in a manner that increases your airway opening and even reduces snoring!
This information has been researched and collected by trial and error over many years and brought to you by sleep apnea dentist Dr. Leor Lindner of Dental Sleep Medicine of Greenville. An SC dental sleep center.
US statistics show an epidemic of sleep apnea(SA) and disordered breathing today. One hundred million Americans snore. In addition, 30% of the US population demonstrates disordered breathing.
It has been estimated that 20 million Americans suffer from moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and at least one person in five (65 million Americans) has mild OSA. Unfortunately, the current medical healthcare system fails to recognize and diagnose these problems.
What is the difference between Sleep Apnea and Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common sleep-related disorder that occurs as repetitive episodes of complete or partial upper airway blockage during sleep. Central sleep apnea occurs because your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing. This condition is different from obstructive sleep apnea, in which you can’t breathe normally because of upper airway obstruction. Central sleep apnea is less common than obstructive sleep apnea.
What are the risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea?
The classical OSA risk factors are age, male gender, body mass index (BMI), snoring, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and sleep duration ≥ eight hours
The major risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea are obesity, a family history of snoring or apnea, and male.
Signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:
Excessive daytime sleepiness.Loud snoring.
Observed episodes of stopped breathing during sleep.
Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking.
Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat.
Morning headache.
Difficulty concentrating during the day.
Loss of libido
Sleep Apnea Diagnosis Facts:
Only a sleep study can give you an accurate diagnosis. Dental Sleep Medicine of Greenville proudly features the WatchPAT One for the best at-home testing experience possible. The most advanced Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT) available, the WatchPAT One, is uber-accurate, measuring for sleep apnea based on up to 7 different factors (PAT signal, heart rate, oximetry, actigraphy, body position, snoring, and chest motion).
Unlike traditional home sleep testing devices, the WatchPAT One requires no nasal tube or uncomfortable body strap. As a result, it’s almost as easy to use as a simple wristwatch.
How does the best sleep apnea oral appliance work?
The most commonly used appliance or dental device for sleep apnea treatment and snoring is the mandibular advancement device (MAD). Also called oral appliances, the airways are opened by;
1) preventing the lower jaw from falling back and down and
2) Keep the lower jaw slightly open and forward.
Since the tongue is attached to the jaw, your airway is made more prominent by the forward movement of the tongue as the jaw moves forward.
We provide custom-made, titratable Mandibular Advancement appliance Devices at the Dental Sleep Medicine of Greenville, SC.
Here’s what I’ve determined to be characteristic of an excellent dental appliance for sleep apnea.
1, Patient Comfort:
This is paramount. If it’s not comfortable to the patient, it won’t be worn, and compliance goes down as well as your health benefits.
2, Limits muscle side effects:
The design and engineering of an appliance can cause excessive forces on the jaw and muscles, translating to soreness or pain for the patient. Today, tested appliance designs minimize occlusal forces and are pain-free.
3, Limits tooth movement:
Some appliances are not designed to fit like an orthodontic retainer resulting in gradual movement. A change to bite or occlusion (the way teeth fit together when you close your jaw.) tooth movement can lead to fractured teeth crowns or fillings in your mouth. Therefore, it is mandatory to construct and provide an am aligner or reposition splint for the patient to wear 15 minutes after removing their sleep appliance in the morning. The AM splint re-establishes the jaw muscles back to their normal position since they are stretched for six to eight hours and night.
4, Precision manufacturing:
Many dental sleep labs make decent appliances; however, some stand out of the crowd with superior precision CAD CAM milled manufacturing done from digital scanned imaging of the teeth or models of the patient. Better fit leads to better retention and fewer Fallout episodes or dislodgements.
5, Adequate tongue space:
In most obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, their jaw architecture is narrow and vaulted, reducing overall volume in the mouth. Certain OSA appliances made of flexible nylon can be super thin, creating more tongue space and freedom. It also allows more air volume to enter the lungs.
6, Durability:
let’s face it, not all appliances are created equal. Quality cost and materials go a long way. Today better materials are available that last longer. At least three years is optimal. Currently, most insurance companies will pay for a replacement sleep apnea appliance every five years. That does not mean you need to replace it every five years but know that a quality material used in making an appliance can last a long time as long as proper maintenance and cleaning protocols. Are in place and followed precisely.
7, Minimal bacteria uptake:
(not biodegradable). Many labs use materials for appliances that are more porous and will collect and retain bacteria and food particles. It is better to use high-end materials that are less porous and denser, thus minimizing bacteria colonization on or in the appliance. And the odor it produces as a result.
8, Bruxism: (teeth grinding) friendly:
Many people with apnea clench and Brux or grind their teeth during sleep. Some designs allow more freedom of movement in the jaws while other appliances can limit movement causing the patient to feel constricted and then awake and
9, Adjustable:
An appliance must be titrated forward gradually to increase airflow into the lungs. Low-Cost appliances are fixed and don’t work as well. However, the custom-engineered device built into the wings of the appliance can be easily adjusted by the patient with a small hex tool.
10, Biocompatible materials:
Many patients have allergies and don’t respond well to certain cheap acrylics. Many new product materials have excellent biocompatibility with our tissue. If material irritates oral tissue, the patient will not wear it. And may suffer from tissue inflammation of the mouth and throat. That could be a severe threat to breathing, narrowing the airway. Nylon is biocompatible. Use non-latex elastics when indicated. Metal arms in the design could cause nickel allergies and certifications.
11, Maintenance, Cleaning, and Storage:
*Brush teeth thoroughly before insertion: Failure to brush and floss can lead to premature discoloration of the device. (This does not affect the function or longevity of the device.
*Clean device daily: Upon removal from your mouth every morning, rinse your device in cold water and then clean it with mild foam soap and a soft-bristle brush.
* Store device in its protective case: Make sure to air dry your device before putting it in the case. Always store your case in a safe location away from children or pets.
* Deep clean device weekly: Submerge the entire device and AM aligner using partial denture cleaner for 3-5 minutes once a week. Do not use chlorine-based cleaner or antiseptic mouthwash.
What is the purpose of the (MAD) mandibular advancement device?
The MAD is designed to advance the mandible in all three dimensions to open up the airway. It must also stabilize the mandible (lower jaw) in the correct therapeutic position determined by the sleep apnea dentist. Over time as the patient becomes used to the appliance. It can and should be titrated forward to increase efficiency.
Here are the reviews and our picks for the seven best sleep apnea oral appliances for 2022:
#1, ProSomnus- IA, EVO, PH, CA:
The number one prescribed device in the USA.
Advantages:
*90-degree blocks hold advancement even when opening.
*precision milled from control cured PMMA.
*Denser, stronger much less prone to discoloration. *Lingual-free design maximizes tongue space more than any other appliance.
*It’s easy to deliver to the patient.
*It’s comfortable.
* Hygenic
#2, The TAP appliance, the dream tap, formerly Tap one, two, and three:
Again, it’s titanium and elite developed by Dr. Keith Thornton. It’s FDA-approved for OSA.
Advantages:
*Fine protrusive adjustability within five millimeters.
*Variety of acrylics
*Comfortable
*Lateral mobility for bruxers
*Medicare-approved.
Disadvantages:
*less tongue space due to the advancement mechanism (the dream taps are better designed for this)
*Must have adequate retention to prevent opening up out of the appliance at night.
*Some soreness reported anterior teeth.
* No support to TM joint.
#3, Herbst sleep appliance:
Advantages:
* Ability to open
* Fine protrusive adjustments
* Comfortable
*Some lateral mobility for bruxers
*Medicare-approved (specific labs).
Disadvantages:
*Advancement bar on the side may irritate the cheek. *one piece insertion
#4 The EMA. Elastic mandibular advancement:
Advantages:
* Generous tongue room
*lateral mobility for bruxers
*Vertical and protrusive adjustments.
Disadvantages:
* Straps require periodic replacement
#5, Panthera D -SAD:
Advantages:
*3D printed appliance
* Flexible and durable material
*Nylon type 12 organic polyamide
*0.5-millimeter advancement with interchangeable rods *No posterior contact
*Traction “pull” system versus a push directs tension to the occlusal plane
*3-year warranties
*Biocompatible
Disadvantages:
*non-acrylic material is difficult to modify later if needed.
#6, Panthera X3:
Is the Panthera D -SAD with 70 or 90-degree posterior wings
#7, Respire Blue Plus H/S:
Advantages:
Freedom to open and close mouth
Bruxism/TMD sufferer
More tongue space
Comfortable internal liner
Balances forces of occlusion
Medicare-approved
Compliance chip available
3-year manufacturer warranty
Allows drinking and talking
Disadvantages:
Not for petite mouths
Not available in clear
Difficult to see titration screw
Not available in 90-degree blocks
