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Why Use Anti Snoring Devices

Snoring can be a cause of anxiety and sleeping problems for the person who snores and those living in the same room. Additionally, it has been linked to many metabolic conditions, including cardiovascular disease.

Snoring treatments can be either non-surgical or surgical; the type of treatment chosen depends on the root cause of snoring.

Nasal snoring

Inspiration is described as the development of negative pressure and the partial collapse of the pharyngeal airway in the case of snorers. The reason behind snoring lies in the restriction of upper airway. Nasal devices may help keep the airway open and ease snoring. It is the Afrin test can be a method of determining if patients will get the benefit of these products.

Snoring can be helped by using nasal anti-snoring equipment, such as nasal strips, nasal strips or dilators. These both keep the nostrils open during the night.

Nasal strips

Nasal strips consist of self-adhesive, self-adhesive tape specifically designed to pull the nostrils apart.

Nasal dilators

Nasal dilators can be made from metal or plastic. They work by opening the nostrils in sleep. They can be used , as their effectiveness has not been directly compared.
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)

OSAS is treated with one of the following modalities:

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Oral appliances
Surgery

Oral appliances

Oral appliances can be utilized instead of CPAP when the latter fails or is not acceptable for the patient. They may also be indicated in the case of mild or moderate OSAS without daytime sleepiness.

Chin strips

Chin strips can be self-adhesive tape strips put under the chin for keep the mouth closed during the night.

Vestibular shield

The plastic device is fitted within the mouth to block airflow in it and improve breathing through the nose. This often prevents from snoring.

Both of these anti snoring device are similar in the context of available research.

Mandibular advancement devices (MAD)

The devices are designed to stop snoring due to vibration of the base of the tongue. They force the lower jaw and tongue to increase the space for airflow within the pharynx. They also prevent the tongue from moving within this region.

A thermoplastic MAD is ordered ready-made and fitted to the patient’s house. The devices might not be suitable for people who have a gag reflex that is strong, or those who cannot sleep with appliances inside their mouth. It may cause pain in the jaw and face in the first few days. A custom-designed MAD by dentists is recommended for those suffering from OSAS, however, these are much more expensive.

Modern MAD are less heavy, lighter and bulky, and even micro-adjustable that allows every person to adjust the amount of protrusion of the jaw, allowing them to stop snoring without causing undue stress on the jaw and facial muscles. The devices need to be replaced approximately every 18 months.

Tongue-retaining devices (TRD)

The TRD is a different oral appliance that stops the downward slide of the tongue that usually occurs when you sleep and can lead to the snoring of many people. It holds the tip of the tongue in its place with the use of a suction that is slightly negative. The mouthpiece that is attached to it creates a the mandibular protrusion also However, this is diminished to levels that are more comfortable, based on patient feedback.

It can also increase when snoring persists despite usage. The TRD contains orifices that are laterally positioned to allow mouth breathing in case the nose becomes blocked. This could cause initial soreness, but it’s quite secure and is reported to be effective in a lot of sleepers. It also reduces the symptoms of sleep apnea, daytime somnolence and sleep.

Advantages and disadvantages of using oral appliances

Oral appliances can cause discomfort, foreign body sensation excessive salivation, or dry mouth. They should be utilized following a sleep study that was conducted to pinpoint the risk factors in OSAS and to identify it and, if it’s they are found, as well as providing a baseline for determine the effectiveness of the devices. They are reversible, easy to use, inexpensive and efficient, and thus offer an alternative to CPAP for many patients.

Adjustable oral appliances require orthodontic skills and are, therefore significantly more expensive as fixed appliances. They take longer to make and build up tolerance slower; however, they’re more efficient in the reduction of snoring for all types of patients with OSAS. The best success rates are for patients who are younger and have slimmer bodies and a smaller BMIs, who suffer from mild to moderate OSAS.

Fixed appliances are relatively more economical, are easy to put in by the patient and work more quickly. They cannot be adjusted to give a greater or lesser mandibular protrusion. This is why they fail to treat snoring.

Overall, oral appliances are more popular than CPAP for people with OSAS.

A more modern device is based on the capacity to acquire a learned reflex. It vibrates when the first sign of snoring, that causes sleepers in turn to sleep on the side. It can help improve daytime sleepiness, without affecting or improving the quality of sleep.