In search of a restful sleep…

Helping you to understand more about Oral Sleep Appliances and Mandibular Advancement Devices for Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder characterised by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses occur when the soft tissues in the back of the throat collapse and block the airway, causing a drop in oxygen levels and disrupting sleep. OSA can lead to various health problems, including daytime fatigue, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

While there are various treatment options for OSA, Oral Sleep Appliances have become increasingly popular. These custom-made mouthpieces are worn during sleep and work by gently repositioning the lower jaw and tongue, opening the airway and preventing obstruction.

“It took a few weeks to get used to my oral sleep appliance, but the improvement in the quality of my sleep made the decision to get one worthwhile.”

— Patient at the London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic

What you need to know about oral sleep appliances

  • You can purchase simple oral sleep appliances online and from most chemists quite cheaply, but if you are considering a long-term solution to poor-quality sleep, you should arrange an appointment with a dentist or orthodontist for a proper assessment. The prices vary for custom-made appliances but you should budget between £1000 and £2000 depending on the model you select and the support and aftercare offered by your dentist or orthodontist.

  • Any oral appliance may cause teeth to move, which is one reason why you should consider getting a custom-made appliance from a dentist or orthodontist.

  • Yes, many patients report that they quickly see improvements in their sleep quality after using an oral sleep appliance. Your dentist or orthodontist will be able to advise you about how effective you may find it.

  • It may feel strange at first, but most people adapt to wearing a mandibular advancement device within a week. You can expect to feel some aching as your lower jaw is held forward and may feel your bite in a slightly different position when you remove the appliance in the morning. Don’t worry; this usually returns to normal quickly.

  • This question is best answered by your dentist or orthodontist. They will assess the severity of your disturbed sleep and advise you whether an oral sleep appliance will help to reduce your sleep apnoea.

Somnowell Mandibular Advancement Device

Visit our blog to learn more about snoring, obstructive sleep apnoea, and oral sleep appliances

“It’s not just about the selection, fitting and adjustment of the oral sleep appliance; it’s important to consider the aftercare you receive from your orthodontist or dentist as you adapt to wearing the appliance.”

Dr Asif Chatoo - Specialist Orthodontist