One of our goals at Synergy Dental Arts is to provide the most conservative treatment possible in every situation. Oral appliances offer a simple, non-invasive treatment for a variety of conditions. Regardless of the application, every appliance we prescribe is custom-crafted just for you.
Appliance therapy may be a valuable complement to your treatment, whether we're treating nighttime sleep grinding, a diagnosed case of obstructive sleep apnea, bite problems, or other jaw joint disorders. Dr. Kandola uses a variety of innovative designs depending on treatment goals and your preferences.
We're concerned about the overall health of our patients, including sleep health. Many people suffer needlessly from disruptive sleep disorders that keep them from getting enough oxygen at night. The risk of a heart attack is 23 times more likely than average with a sleep disorder, and 92% of stroke victims live unknowingly with apnea before having a stroke.
Learn more about sleep apneaTeeth are the hardest substance in our bodies and can withstand tremendous force. But the damage can occur, especially when grinding forces start to wear it away. A habit of nighttime clenching or grinding will harm teeth, muscles, and jaw joints over time. Protecting against abrasive forces is critical.
Learn more about Occlusal GuardsOcclusal guards do not stop snoring. Snoring is caused by the relaxation of the throat muscles when you sleep, which allows for more airflow in your breathing. This can be fixed in several ways; however, there is no scientific evidence to say that mouthguards alone will solve this problem. If you are looking for a way to stop snoring, we recommend that you speak to your dentist about setting up an appointment with a sleep specialist.
Once you begin to receive treatment as early as possible, sleep apnea will start to go away. Treatment to help sleep apnea may include lifestyle changes such as weight loss and sleeping on one's side.
Occlusal guards work by keeping the teeth from grinding. The guard will stop your teeth from meeting because of its special design. It fits each tooth individually and makes a "v" shape, which stops the front teeth from touching when they are worn as soon as you close your mouth.
Taking care of your occlusal guard is very easy. All you have to do is brush it with a toothbrush using warm water and mild soap at least twice a day. Once per week, soak the guard in a cleaning solution overnight, then rinse it off the next morning before wearing it again.
Depending on the severity of your sleep apnea, treatment may include lifestyle changes or surgery.
Weight loss can be very helpful to those with sleep apnea because losing weight decreases the amount of pressure on the airway.
Sleeping on your side instead of your back may also help, as well as putting a pillow under your head. Consulting a doctor or dentist may also help you determine what type of treatment is right for you.
An occlusal guard usually lasts anywhere from 5-10 years, depending on the stress levels and how you take care of it.
You should expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $800 for one of these guards from a dental office.
Yes, an occlusal guard is well worth investing in because it works so well. While you are wearing the guard, you will not have any discomfort when sleeping at night.
Untreated sleep apnea can be very dangerous.
The most common problems caused by sleep apnea are high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. People who have severe cases of untreated sleep apnea may experience dangerous conditions such as irregular heartbeat or cardiac arrest.
Occlusal guards are clear plastic devices worn during sleep to prevent teeth grinding. They are used by people who brux, or grind their teeth. They are sold by dentists and some pharmacies under various brand names. Some of these include Ocusoft, Myotect, SleepRight, Dentek Softbite Nightguard, Max Guard Night Guard, and many more.
The three types of sleep apnea are central sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, and complex or mixed sleep apnea.
Central sleep apnea is caused by a lack of effort to breathe.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when there is complete blockage of the airway.
Complex or mixed sleep apnea, which includes aspects of both central and obstructive sleep apnea.
The frequent pauses in breathing disrupt sleep, causing loud snoring, irregular breathing during sleep, gasping, and choking during sleep.
Other symptoms may include morning headache or dry mouth upon waking.
People who suffer from sleep apnea usually have these signs:
Excessive daytime sleepiness, chronic fatigue or lack of energy, irritability, and depression, difficulty concentrating, remembering details, impaired memory, and learning ability, night sweats, loud snoring (sometimes with periods of no breathing) during sleep or episodes in which breathing is interrupted.
More serious symptoms can occur as a result of a lack of oxygen to the body during the night.
When sleep apnea is left untreated, it can lead to serious consequences such as:
Depression and anxiety increased blood pressure and stroke.
People who suffer from untreated sleep apnea are at an increased risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and mood disorders.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. These episodes, called apneas (literally, "without breath"), each last long enough so one or more breaths are missed and happen repeatedly throughout sleep.
Occlusal guards and night guards are basically the same thing; yet, they do vary. An occlusal guard is a thin sheet of plastic that fits over the teeth (similar to a mouthguard) and covers them from the tongue, lips, and cheek. A night guard is more like a mouthpiece. It encases your upper teeth in a mold-like manner, except it is solid. A night guard can be worn during the day for protection, but an occlusal guard cannot.
If you grind your teeth while you sleep, then you should get either one of these products because they are effective at stopping this habit. With both of them being so similar, there is no need to worry about choosing the wrong one. We would recommend you try out both kinds before deciding which one to buy though so that you know what feels most comfortable for you.
A blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep.
People who are overweight (particularly those that carry their weight around their necks) and people with large tongues or small jawbones are more likely to have this disorder.
An occlusal guard is used to prevent the teeth from grinding. It works by making your upper and lower teeth fit together like a plastic mold. There are little circles in between your teeth, which allow airflow to go through while you're sleeping so you don't suffocate. These "air holes" stop when the front teeth meet, which is why the teeth grind together. The guard prevents this from happening, which causes you to not grind your teeth.
Please complete the form below to request an appointment. One of our friendly team members will contact you with any questions.