SomnoDent for Sleep Apnea If you suffer from sleep apnea and CPAP either didn't work for you or you found it too difficult to handle at night, you might be a good candidate for a mandibular advancement splint, such as SomnoDent. This alternative therapy is an effective treatment for sleep apnea with more comfort and ease of use. What is SomnoDent?SomnoDent is made up of 2 plates, one for the top teeth and one for the bottom. On the bottom plate there is a coupling mechanism that allows us to customize the fit of your appliance. We will carefully evaluate your mouth to determine the position of the appliance to effectively push the jaw forward just enough to prevent you from snoring and to avoid any obstructions in your airway. As the appliance is tightened, the tissue in the back of the throat is tightened, which stops it from collapsing in the airway when you sleep. Getting FittedOnce your doctor or a sleep specialist formally diagnoses you with sleep apnea, our dentists can begin the process to get you properly fitted for SomnoDent. We will start off with a consultation to determine the severity of your sleep apnea. Even though SomnoDent can treat mild to moderate sleep apnea, it is important to know the degree of the illness to ensure proper fit of the appliance. After determining that you are a good fit for SomnoDent, we will need to take impressions of your mouth, examine your bite as well as your jaw position to ensure a custom fit. The BenefitsThere are many benefits that SomnoDent can provide that CPAP or other oral appliances cannot. The largest benefit is its sleek design. It comes in two pieces, one for the upper jaw and one for the lower, which makes it easy to wear without too much gagging or feeling uncomfortable. Because it is in two pieces, you will be able to talk clearly, yawn and even drink with the appliance in your mouth. This makes it much more convenient and less embarrassing to wear on a nightly basis. Also, because of its sleek nature, patients are able to sleep with their mouth closed, which minimizes drooling and decreases the chance of waking with a dry mouth.  Following UpOnce you are fitted with SomnoDent, Drs. Freeman will need to follow up with you to determine effectiveness of the appliance as well as your comfort level. During this time we will discuss your symptoms, how you are feeling and if you are comfortable with SomnoDent. Because it is able to be adjusted right in the office, we can ensure your comfort at all times. We can discuss how much different your Epworth Sleepiness Score has gotten, what symptoms you are no longer experiencing or any problematic side effects that you need help with. It is our goal to help you achieve not only a good night's sleep, but also comfort and satisfaction with the oral appliance that is meant to reduce your sleep apnea. |
Randolph Center for Dental Excellence
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