Snoring can cause anxiety and a insufficient sleep for the person who is snoring and everyone else living in the same room. Additionally, it has been linked to many metabolic diseases, including cardiovascular disease.
Treatments for snoring can be either non-surgical or surgical. which one is chosen is contingent on the etiology of the snoring.
Nasal snoring
Inspiration is defined as the development of negative pressure as well as the partial collapse of the pharyngeal airway in snorers. The reason for snoring lies in the restriction of upper airway. Nasal devices can help keep it open , and help ease snoring. They are also a good way to reduce snoring. Afrin Test is an example of a method of determining patients who could use these appliances.
Snoring in the nasal passage is usually aided through the use of nasal anti-snoring products, for example nasal strips or dilators. Both of them keep the nose open during the night.
Nasal strips
Nasal strips are self-adhesive tape strips specifically designed to pull the nostrils apart.
Nasal dilators
Nasal dilators are constructed of metal or plastic. They work by pushing the nostrils open during sleep. They can be utilized, but their effectiveness is not yet confirmed.
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)
OSAS is treated with any of the following:
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Oral appliances
Surgery
Oral appliances
Oral appliances could be used instead of CPAP when the former fails or is not acceptable to the patient. They may also be indicated in mild or moderate OSAS with no daytime sleepiness.
Chin strips
Chin strips consist of self-adhesive strip fastened under the chin to keep the mouth closed during sleeping.
Vestibular shield
The plastic device is fitted in the mouth, to block airflow through it and promote nasal breathing, which often prevents from snoring.
Both devices are comparable in terms of the research available.
Mandibular advancement devices (MAD)
These devices help stop snoring due to vibrations in the tongue’s base. They press the lower jaw and tongue forward to open up the space to allow airflow into the pharynx. This stops the tongue from vibrating in this area.
A thermoplastic MAD is made ready-to-use and fitted to the patient’s home. These devices are not suitable for or tolerated by people with a strong gag reflex, or those who cannot rest with appliances placed in the mouth. It could cause pain to the jaw and face during the initial days. A custom-made MAD by a dentist is recommended for those suffering from OSAS However, these are more costly.
Modern MAD are less heavy, lighter and bulky, and they are also micro-adjustable this allows the user to control the degree of jaw protrusion to stop snoring without causing undue stress on the jaw and facial muscles. These devices should be replaced about once in 18 months.
Tongue-retaining devices (TRD)
The TRD is another oral appliance to prevent the fall back of the tongue which usually happens during sleep, causing snoring in many individuals. It keeps the tongue’s tip in place by applying an unnatural suction. The associated mouthpiece creates mandibular protrusion however, it is reduced to levels that are more comfortable, based on the feedback from the patient.
It can also increase when snoring persists despite use. The TRD has orifices in the lateral side to let mouth breathing be allowed in the event the nose becomes blocked. This can lead to some initial discomfort, but it’s quite secure and proven effective in a lot of sleepers. Additionally, it helps reduce the effects of sleep apnea as well as daytime somnolence.
The advantages and drawbacks associated with using an oral anti snoring device
Oral appliances can cause discomfort, foreign body sensation, excessive salivation or mouth dryness. They are typically used after a sleep study has been conducted to discover the risks for OSAS and to identify it when it’s the symptoms are present, as well as providing a baseline for evaluate the progress made with the use of the appliance. They are reversible, simple to use, cheap and efficient, and so offer an alternative to CPAP in many patients.
Adjustable or removable oral appliances require orthodontic expertise and, as such, much more expensive than fixed devices. They take longer to make, and tolerance buildup is slow, but they’re much more successful at decreasing snoring in all kinds of patients with OSAS. The highest success rates can be observed in younger patients with smaller build and a less weight, and who suffer from mild to moderate OSAS.
Fixed appliances are relatively more cost-effective, easily fitted by the patient, and operate more quickly. They cannot be adjusted to give a greater or lesser mandibular protrusion. This is why they fail to correct snoring.
As a general rule oral appliances are more popular than CPAP in patients with OSAS.
A more modern device is based on the ability to master a conditioned reflex. It vibrates when the beginning of snoring that causes sleepers to turn on to the side. It aids in improving sleeping patterns during the daytime, without impacting or improving sleep quality.
The Little Red Journal Business Pages