Sleep Appliances
Sleep appliances are customized solutions for common sleep disorders such as bruxism (clenching/grinding), snoring, sleep apnea, etc. Some of the commonly suggested sleep appliances are:
Bruxism guard: A bruxism guard or a nightguard is an oral appliance that looks similar to an athletic mouthguard. Patients have to wear it before going to sleep, and the guard prevents contact between the teeth from either jaw. Also, it reduces the pressure applied to the TMJ, thereby reducing the chances of developing TMJ disorder.
Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) for Sleep Apnea/Snoring: It is a simple, customized appliance that, as the name suggests, brings the lower jaw forward to widen the opening to the airway. It also keeps the roof of the throat from collapsing, thus avoiding sleep apnea.
BRUXISM: Bruxism, also known as clenching or grinding, is typically an unknown muscle movement of the muscles responsible for chewing. This unwarranted movement creates friction, pressure, and tension across your teeth. This can result in wearing down of enamel, cracked teeth, muscle soreness, and much more. Bruxism can occur unknowingly during the day or while you sleep. If you wake up with jaw pain or aching teeth, this could be from clenching and grinding in your sleep.
SLEEP APNEA/SNORING: If you have difficulty sleeping or wake up after a full night of sleep not feeling rested, you could be suffering from Sleep Apnea. Around 22 million Americans suffer from Sleep Apnea, resulting in daytime sleepiness, interruptions of breathing while sleeping, snoring, morning headaches, and much more. If you've been told you have Sleep Apnea, if you have been placed on a CPAP machine, or if you have been told you snore at night, you could be a candidate for Sleep Appliance (Mandibular Advancement Device).
