What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Each breathing pause can last from a few seconds to minutes. When normal breathing resumes, it often does so with a loud snort sound.

Sleep apnea can become an ongoing condition that disrupts your sleep a few nights each week.This results in poor sleep quality that makes you tired during the day.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is considered the most common type of sleep apnea. This means that the airway has collapsed during sleep and the resulting blockage may cause breathing pauses. Any air that squeezes past the blockage can cause loud snoring. Snoring is not to be mistaken for sleep apnea. Snoring is simply that loud sound that occurs while asleep if there is any obstruction in your airway. While it may be unpleasant, snoring is not in itself a harmful condition. Snoring does often accompany sleep apnea, however.

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a less common type of sleep apnea, which happens when the part of your brain that controls breathing doesn't send the correct signals to the breathing muscles. Hence, you don't breathe for brief periods. Snoring doesn't usually happen with central sleep apnea.

More about Snoring

Snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea and is a noise created by the partial blocking of the airway. When you fall asleep your muscles relax, including those that control the tongue and throat. The soft tissue at the back of your throat can sag, narrowing the airway. Incoming air then makes the tissue at the rear roof of the mouth (the soft palate), the flap of skin hanging from the palate (uvula) and the throat vibrate – a sound we know as snoring.

Clinical Research on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the evidence supporting the use of dental snoring appliances in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Studies demonstrating their efficacy have been underpinned by increasing recognition of the importance of upper airway anatomy in the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea. Dental snoring appliances have been shown to have beneficial effect in targeting a number of significant clinical end points. These include the polysomnographic indexes of obstructive sleep apnea, subjective and objective measures of sleepiness, blood pressure, aspects of neuropsychological functioning, and quality of life.

In comparing the efficacy of dental snoring appliances to that of corrective upper airway surgery, a four-year randomized study published in the American College of Chest Physicians conducted at the Central Hospital, Vasteras Sweden concluded that there were significantly higher success and normalization rates in the dental snoring appliance group. The study also showed that use of a dental snoring appliance with regular follow ups can be recommended as a long term treatment for obstructive sleep apnea sufferers.

The SomnoDent® Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS) is a clinically validated treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Its exceptional levels of patient preference, tolerance, compliance and treatment efficacy are backed by clinical research conducted by leading researchers.

SomnoDent® for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

SomnoDent® offers a comfortable, effective and custom treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. The SomnoDent® MAS therapy uses a Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS) that treats mild, moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea by moving the lower jaw slightly forward. This movement tightens the soft tissue and muscles of the upper airway, which prevents obstruction while you sleep. The SomnoDent® MAS also prevents the tissues of the upper airway from vibrating as air passes over them, which is the major cause of snoring.

The SomnoDent® MAS is a custom-made medical dental appliance that is comprised of upper and lower dental plates with a unique patented fun coupling component to maintain mandible protrusion. The fin coupling mechanism is a key differentiator from other dental snoring appliances as it enables the patient to maintain normal mouth opening and closing while wearing the SomnoDent® MAS. Implementing a number of key design features which represent quantum improvements on existing MAS devices, SomnoDent® MAS is both a more comfortable and effective dental snoring appliance.

Comfort of SomnoDent® MAS

The SomnoDent® MAS is comfortable and easy to wear. This dental appliance uses the smallest amount of material possible, reducing bulkiness in the mouth. It is made up of two separate pieces, which allow you to speak, yawn and drink. Its design does not restrict tongue space, which results in high efficacy and comfort.

Durability of SomnoDent® MAS

The SomnoDent® MAS is made from premium grade materials to ensure durability. Each appliance is manufactured in a FDA-registered facility under quality systems designed to meet FDA requirements. Your SomnoDent® MAS will pass a quality check to ensure you are receiving a custom dental appliance made to your dentist's specification.

The SomnoDent® MAS comes with a one year warranty against manufacturing defects. Proper care and maintenance of your dental appliance should result in a long life of comfortable and effective use.

Features and Benefits of SomnoDent® MAS

• Permits normal mouth opening
• Allows speech & drinking
• Unrestricted tongue space
• Full lip seal
• Easily adjustable
• Safe & effective
• Clinically validated
• Custom fit

Frequently Asked Questions about the SomnoDent® MAS

When is it worn?

The SomnoDent® MAS dental appliance is only worn when you sleep. The SomnoDent® MAS is very discrete, allowing you to close your mouth lips so it is not obvious you are wearing it.

Is it comfortable?

You won't find a more comfortable MAS. Why? Because it is custom-made to fit your mouth and it does not impinge on your tongue. You can open and close your mouth normally as the SomnoDent® MAS does not lock or fix your jaws together.

Is there a warranty?

Yes. The SomnoDent® MAS offers a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects, which means you can have full confidence in the product.

What if I have a bridge or denture?

Patients with dentures may be successfully fitted with the SomnoDent® MAS dental appliance as long as there are sufficient teeth on the lower arch for optimal retention. Your dentist will be able to address this with you. SomnoDent® MAS may be fitted over dental implants.

What will the dentist do?

The dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth and mouth and may use X-rays to confirm your oral health status, as well as ensuring that you are dentally appropriate for the splint. Dental impressions are required to fabricate a SomnoDent® MAS. They are then sent to our laboratory where the dental appliance is made. Once custom-made for you, the dental appliance will be fitted by a dentist who will show you how to insert and remove it yourself, as well as how to clean and care for it.

Testimonials about SomnoDent® MAS

"The SomnoDent® MAS has changed my life. I haven't slept like this for years! I love that I can chat and drink with the dental appliance in. I am so happy with the SomnoDent® MAS." — Christopher, Paoli, PA

"Instantly improved my quality of life after years of decline!" — Dave, Mosinee, WI

"No mask, no tubes, no machine making noise. I recently went on a vacation, threw it in my suitcase and away I went. No hassle through security. It is the greatest - the only way to go." — Joyce, Santa Cruz, CA

"I dreaded the thought of 2 CPAPs filling our bedroom with equipment; extra tables and all the hoses! I'm delighted that my SomnoMed dental appliance is easy to use, easy to clean and easy to store. I especially enjoy ease of traveling with my snoring dental device while my husband struggles with his CPAP equipment." — Virginia, Ankeny, IA

Did You Know?

• 40%-80% of stroke victims also suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.
• People with obstructive sleep apnea are 4 times more likely to have a heart attack.
• Patients with obstructive sleep apnea use CPAP for less than 5 hours per night on average.
• If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you are twice as likely to die in your sleep and 7 times more likely to have a motor vehicle accident
• Obstructive sleep apnea patients are at a 40% greater risk of having depression
• Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea are also more likely to have sexual impotence and develop diabetes.