SLEEP APNEA

Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) or mandibular advancement splints (MAS) have been proven as an effective treatment for many patients who suffer from snoring or sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing several times during the night due to a collapse of the airways. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder and if left untreated can result in heart problems, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, daytime drowsiness, etc.

The most common way of treating sleep apnea is with a machine called a CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure machine. Some patients however are unable to use a CPAP machine because of claustrophobia, anxiety disorder, allergic reactions to the straps, disturbance because of the noise from the machine, etc. In these cases the best alternative is a dental device that can also prevent sleep apnea.   

Snoring prevention aids like MAD and MAS work by bringing the lower jaw forward and lifting the soft palate. The process prevents soft throat tissues from collapsing and obstructing the airway. The device is custom made using a mold of the patient’s teeth and jaw so that it fits perfectly and comfortably in the mouth. Unlike athletic and nighttime mouth guards which only fit on the top teeth, the snoring prevention aid fits over the lower teeth as well. The oral device is compact and easy to carry when traveling.

Our teeth and gums are vulnerable to damage from physical impact. Cracked and broken teeth and damaged gums can lead to a host of other complications which is why it is important to protect against such injuries. Athletes and others prone to oral trauma and injury should wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth and gums. Mouthguard oral devices have also been found to be effective in preventing snoring and sleep apnea. Snoring prevention aids have been found to be a good alternative for people who can’t use traditional sleep apnea treatments.

Mouthguards are worn by athletes to protect their teeth and gums from injury while playing contact sports. A custom-fitted mouthguard is an appliance worn over the teeth, usually to protect them from damage. There are several different kinds of mouthguards, each custom-fabricated to fit perfectly in a particular patient’s mouth and bite.

Protective mouthguards serve as a buffer to prevent damage to teeth from extreme physical activity or excessive grinding. The resilient material acts as a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, as well as between the teeth and the soft tissues of the mouth.

At Smooth Dental and Orthodontics, we create mouthguards by making an exact impression of a patient’s teeth, using a casting material. The procedure involves a patient biting down into the casting material to give an impression of the teeth. A dental laboratory technician then uses the impression as a mold to make a mouth guard that fits precisely.

ATHLETIC MOUTHGUARDS

The most common use for a mouthguard is to protect the teeth during sports. This protective measure is necessary whenever there’s a chance of hard contact between players or with firm surfaces. Many sports organizations officially require mouthguards to protect players from chipped or broken teeth, root or bone damage, tooth loss, lacerations on the inside of the lips, or occasionally more serious injuries, such as fractured jaws. Sports like boxing, football, hockey, lacrosse, basketball, skating and skateboarding all require athletes to wear mouth guards.

Dr. Elizabeth Tran’s team at Smooth Dental and Orthodontics makes athletic mouthguards from the best materials which are FDA approved. Our mouthguards comply with all required standards to ensure the best protection for the wearer. The mouthguards are made with copolymer plastic and are transparent. The material used offers the best shock absorbance while also being durable and comfortable to wear. Custom made mouth guards have been shown to give the best protection as compared to stock mouthguards and boil and bite mouth guards. Because custom made mouthguards are made based on the exact structure and specifications of the wearers teeth they also fit perfectly.

For patients diagnosed with “bruxism,” the habit of grinding or clenching the teeth, a night guard or occlusal splint can be an effective way to ease nighttime grinding. Many people unknowingly grind their teeth at night. This can cause extensive tooth damage, headaches, and jaw pain. Repeated grinding of the teeth over time can wear out the tooth enamel leaving teeth sensitive and vulnerable to damage. A night guard relieves the pressure from grinding and clenching and protects against wear, cracks, and fractures of the teeth.

At Smooth Dental Group we make sure to give you the most comfortable fit for your nighttime mouth guard. The special material used and the care taken to custom make the guard specifically for your mouth offers the best protection and feels comfortable to wear. The dentist will examine your teeth to determine how severe the nighttime grinding is. The material used to make the nighttime guard will depend on the aggressiveness with which you grind your teeth while sleeping.

For teeth that are subject to heavier grinding, a strong acrylic guard will be custom made. If the teeth grinding is not so intense then a nighttime guard of a softer rubber with a harder outer layer of plastic will suffice. Each case is examined individually and the nighttime guard made exactly as required for that particular case.

CONTACT US

At Smooth Dental and Orthodontics, we make fully customized mouth guards according to your specific needs. Dr. Elizabeth Tran and her team have the latest cutting-edge equipment for making mouthguards and are highly trained in this specialty. Each individual case is given the special attention it requires and care is taken to make each mouthguard fit and function perfectly.

Feel free to give us a call or schedule online for a consultation at Smooth Dental and Orthodontics.