Oral appliances provide direct and non-invasive care for addressing dental conditions. They are fabricated out of transparent plastic material and fit securely on the upper and bottom arch of teeth. Oral appliances can treat sleep apnea, nighttime
teeth grinding, bite problems, or jaw joint disorders. At iTooth, we provide innovative oral appliances based on your preferences and treatment goals.
What Are Apnea Appliances?
An apnea appliance is a retainer fitted over teeth and works to slightly advance the lower jaw, shifting the tongue's base forward to open the airway. This improves breathing and reduces sleep apnea conditions. Oral appliances can be customized for your unique requirements and can be removed and replaced. Based on the disorders they treat, many devices are worn at night while sleeping.
Benefits of Oral Appliances
Oral appliances offer many benefits including:
The oral appliances are comfortable to wear. They are fashioned to accommodate every curve of your unique oral cavity composition, ensuring a perfect fit and relaxing experience.
The oral appliances do not require any procedure to be performed and can be fabricated from a digital impression.
When you are traveling, you can carry your oral appliance with you. Besides the carrying case and cleaning solution, no special equipment is required to take your oral appliance.
When Can Oral Appliances Be Used?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that could affect anyone. Patients suffering from this condition experience frequent pauses in their breathing throughout sleep. This is caused by the throat tissues blocking the airway and thus, disturbing sleep. An oral appliance can be used to address this severe sleep disorder and work by keeping the tongue and jaw in an appropriate position, preventing airway obstruction.
Teeth grinding is another chronic sleep disorder in which patients grind their teeth during sleep due to bite or jaw alignment problems. An oral appliance worn at night can prevent the damaging effects of
teeth grinding. These appliances usually rest between the teeth and reduce the pressure or movement. Nighttime
teeth grinding can cause headaches, jaw pain, worn teeth, gum recession, bone loss, and even loose teeth without these appliances.
To learn more about our oral appliance options, visit our office, iTooth Family Dentistry, at 5021 S. National Ave Springfield, MO 65810. You can also reachDentist in Springfield MO at (417) 883-8515 and schedule an appointment.