Monday, November 29, 2010

Different Types of Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea

Once you have met with Dr. Blumenstock, an oral appliance will be chosen to best fit your situation. There are many types of oral appliances to meet many different needs.

One option is called the SomnoMed MAS. It is a custom-made device, consisting of upper and lower dental plates with a unique feature that allows normal mouth opening and closing. The jaw is only moved as far as needed to alleviate snoring and sleep apnea. Elastic Mandibular Advancement appliance or EMA, was created for noninvasive treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. Interchangeable elastic pieces on the appliance offer varying degrees of adjustment and overall TMJ comfort. Another device, the TAP, or the Thornton Adjustable Positioner, is an appliance that holds the lower jaw forward. This prevents the tongue and soft tissue of the throat from collapsing into the airway. It is easily adjusted and the adjustment handle acts as snoring volume control. As snoring is reduced, the airway is opened.

There are many other oral appliances offered by Dr. Blumenstock. The most important thing to understand is that many years of experience grant him an exceptional ability to successfully match you to the correct oral appliance.

Read more on Dr. Blumenstock.