Are you one of the millions of people who suffer from sleep apnea? If so, you may be curious about mandibular advancement devices (MADs), one of the most common sleep apnea treatments. MADs are small, custom-fit devices that help keep your airway open while you sleep, which can help reduce or eliminate your symptoms. Wondering if they’re right for you? Here we will outline the basics of MADs, including what they are and how they work. Plus, we’ll discuss some of the pros and cons of this type of treatment. Let’s go!
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep Apnea is a serious condition. Air passageways become blocked or restricted which causes sufferers to wake up momentarily gasping for air. Unfortunately, sufferers are often unaware of what is going on because they fall straight back to sleep.
Sleep Apnea can be caused by many different factors, including genetics, obesity, sinus issues or oversized tonsils. Some possible symptoms of sleep apnea are:
- Loud snoring
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Periods of not breathing sleep
- Morning Headaches
- Feeling tired despite a full night’s sleep
- Dry mouth and sore throat in the morning
Sleep Apnea is a serious medical condition that has serious health risks. Some of the things it can lead to are:
- Insomnia
- Mood changes
- High Blood Pressure
- Depression
- Heart Attack
- Stroke
Sleep Apnea should not be left untreated! Talk to your doctor if you think you might be suffering from Sleep Apnea.
Why Would I Need a Mandibular Advancement Device?
A MAD is used as a tool for Continuous Open Airway Treatment (COAT). This is a commonly used device for mild to moderate sufferers of sleep apnea. There are some lifestyle changes that can help as well, such as weight loss, changing sleeping positions and improving health habits like quitting smoking.
If your doctor recommends COAT, King Street Dental uses SomnoMed devices for comfortable and effective treatment. Your doctor may recommend other treatments if your sleep apnea is severe enough, so make sure you’ve spoken to your GP about the best treatment for you.
The Low-Down On MADs
Our MAD device, the SomnoMed, is made in the dentist’s chair. We take an impression of your teeth and have this made into a mould custom-fit to your mouth, similar to a custom mouthguard. These devices work by keeping your airways open while you sleep. This can alleviate sleep apnea and help with other side effects such as snoring.
The device is battery and power-free, making it an easy solution that can be taken anywhere, even coming in a convenient carry case. SomnoMed is a great solution as it’s easily adjusted for the perfect fit, making it very comfortable.
Unfortunately, like all treatments, some people get better results than others. MADs are effective in 70-80% of patients.
If you’re considering a sleep apnea treatment, such as a mandibular advancement device (MAD), our team at King Street Dental can help. We offer a variety of oral appliances to suit your needs and have extensive experience fitting MADs. To get started, book an appointment with us today.