Sleep Apnea Appliances
Sleep apnea is a serious, sometimes fatal medical disorder that affects around 10% of American men over the age of 40, and 6% of American women of the same age. Sleep apnea sufferers completely stop breathing during sleep, sometimes hundreds of times in a single night. Normal breathing ceases because the airway becomes obstructed, causing a serious reduction of airflow to the lungs.
There are a number of dental devices that can be used to alleviate this condition. The goal of most of these devices is to separate the jaws and push them forward slightly. This slight repositioning opens up the airway, and allows oxygen to flow freely again. Wearers of sleep apnea dental devices report that they stop loud snoring, feel more rested in the daytime, and are much more comfortable going to sleep. Sleep apnea appliances work best on patients who are not significantly overweight. They offer a viable alternative to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).
Sleep apnea appliances fall into two categories: fixed and adjustable. Here are brief descriptions of some commonly used sleep apnea dental appliances:
Panthera Classic™
The Panthera Classic™ is a custom-made mandibular advancement device (MAD) that gently holds the lower jaw forward during sleep to keep the airway open. What makes it unique is its construction from medical-grade nylon, making it exceptionally thin, strong, and lightweight—without sacrificing effectiveness. This appliance is completely digitally designed and milled, allowing for incredible precision and consistent quality.
Panthera X3™
The Panthera X3™ is a custom-made mandibular advancement device (MAD) that gently holds the lower jaw forward during sleep to maintain an open upper airway. Its breakthrough design includes a metal-free, ultra-thin construction and uses customizable nylon connectors to control jaw advancement with precision.
SomnoDent Avant®
The SomnoDent Avant® is a premium, two-piece oral sleep appliance that gently advances the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open during sleep. It features an ultra-slim profile, smooth edges, and a durable, 3D-printed resin base that’s custom-fit to your unique bite. The SomnoDent Avant™ is a premium, two-piece oral sleep appliance that gently advances the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open during sleep. It features an ultra-slim profile, smooth edges, and a durable, 3D-printed resin base that’s custom-fit to your unique bite.
Herbst Advance®
The Herbst Advance® is a two-piece mandibular advancement device (MAD) that works by gently holding the lower jaw in a forward position during sleep. This forward movement helps keep the upper airway open, reducing the risk of airway collapse and interruptions in breathing due to sleep apnea. What sets the Herbst Advance™ apart is its robust metal hinges and precise calibration system, allowing for incremental jaw adjustments based on your comfort and treatment response.
OASYS Hinge Appliance™
The OASYS Hinge Appliance™ is an FDA-cleared oral device designed to treat both snoring and mild to moderate OSA. It works by gently positioning the lower jaw forward to prevent airway collapse during sleep. What sets the OASYS apart is its hinge-based mechanism, which allows for precise, controlled mandibular advancement, as well as its optional nasal dilator feature that supports improved nasal breathing.
EMA® (Elastic Mandibular Advancement) Sleep Appliance
The EMA® is a two-piece oral appliance that gently moves the lower jaw forward during sleep, helping to keep the airway open and reduce breathing interruptions. It uses interchangeable elastic straps to allow both forward positioning and side-to-side jaw movement for greater comfort and customization.
DreamTAP™
The DreamTAP™ (Thornton Adjustable Positioner) is a durable, two-piece oral appliance that works by gently advancing the lower jaw to maintain an open airway during sleep. Its innovative anterior adjustment mechanism gives both patients and providers precise control over the appliance’s fit and therapeutic effect.
Silent Nite® Sleep Appliance
The Silent Nite® Sleep Appliance works by gently repositioning the lower jaw (mandible) forward, which helps keep the airway open during sleep. This forward positioning minimizes the vibrations that cause snoring and reduces interruptions in breathing caused by airway collapse.
Silent Nite® 3D Sleep Appliance
The Silent Nite® 3D is a custom-fitted, 3D-printed oral appliance designed to gently reposition the lower jaw forward during sleep. This forward positioning helps to open the airway, reducing the likelihood of airway collapse that leads to snoring and sleep apnea episodes. Crafted using a fully digital workflow, the appliance ensures a precise fit tailored to each patient's unique oral anatomy.
TAP® 3 (Thornton Adjustable Positioner)
The TAP® 3 is the smallest, most comfortable member of the TAP family. It is a two-part custom-created sleep apnea appliance that fits over the teeth in much the same way as a sports mouthguard. The TAP® 3 projects the jaw forward to prevent the tongue and soft tissues from impeding the airway. The lower jaw positioner is adjustable, which means that it can be altered to suit the comfort level of the wearer. The TAP® 3 appliance can accommodate the three main types of malocclusion, and allows the lips to fully close.
If you have questions or concerns about sleep apnea appliances, please contact our office at (951) 501-2225.