Oral Airway Dilator Appliances
Oral appliances are devices to manage snoring and sleep apnea. These devices are worn in the mouth while sleeping and reposition the lower jaw to help open the airway. This is done by tensing the muscles that support the airway which in turn opens or dilates the airway so that air can move in and out freely without obstruction or resistance.
Oral airway dialator appliances
There are numerous appliances available to manage Snoring and Sleep apnea. Over the years it has been found that a limited number of appliances are most useful, proven to be effective and well tolerated by the patient. The two most often used in this office are:
The EMA (Elastic Mandibular Advancement) appliance
This appliance is a custom-made appliance that uses elastic straps on each side of the
appliance to help keep the jaw and tongue from falling back into the airway during sleep. The elastic straps are available in a variety of lengths with different levels of tension.
The specific strap is custom selected based on your needs and allows for freedom of jaw movement. Features of the appliance include:
- Comfortable to wear
- Posterior support to protect the TMJs
- Also able to manage Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Freedom of jaw movement with use
- Can be modified if dental work is done
- Does not lock or hold the jaw in a set position
- Helps keep the airway open by preventing the jaw and tongue from falling back during sleep
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