PLEASE VISIT US AT OUR COMPLETELY UPDATED OFFICE - NOW WEST OF ROYAL YORK ROAD

Dental Appliances for Snoring, Sleep Apnea, and TMD

Do you suffer from headaches?
Do you ever have jaw pain?
Do you ever clench or grind your teeth?
Do you ever have noises in the jaw joints or hear a ringing or buzzing sound in your ears?
Has anyone ever told you that you snore?
Has anyone ever told you that you stop breathing in your sleep?
Do you awake not feeling refreshed?
Have you ever had a sleep study and told you have mid or moderate sleep apnea?
Have you ever tried to wear a CPAP machine and not been able to continue?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions you may also have some general health problems, like high blood pressure and diabetes.

Many people subscribe to the misconception that sleep disorders stem strictly from psychological issues and they have no physical correlations or consequences. Of course, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, sleep-related issues such as sleep apnea, snoring, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) are all directly related to blockage of the airway at the back of the throat during sleep, which causes temporary pauses in breathing. These pauses in breathing, which are largely attributed to sleep apnea, cause vibration and turbulence amongst the soft tissues located at the back of the throat and that’s what produces loud or excessive snoring sounds. At Princeview Dental Group, our highly qualified and experienced dental professionals are prepared to recommend and implement nonsurgical dental appliance treatment options that are appropriate for each of our clients.

Dental Appliance Treatments

There’s a plethora of dental appliance treatment options available to patients who suffer from varying types and degrees of sleep issues. Some sleep issues are a direct result of a mild or severe obstruction in the airway at the back of the throat, usually a tightness or closure (sleep apnea and snoring). Others are caused by a misalignment in the jaw (TMD) that pushes the tongue towards the back of the throat, blocking the airway during sleep and making it very difficult to breathe.

Thankfully, Princeview Dental can provide effective dental care appliances that will generate positive results for you according to your specific needs. Most dental appliances are removable and impermanent, which means that once you stop treatment, the original problems could persist. Your dental professional will use their discretion in terms of your personal treatment options as not every solution works equally well for every patient.

Types of Dental Appliances We Use

At Princeview Dental, we use oral appliances for sleep apnea, dental appliances to control and correct snoring, and appliances to remedy TMD.

Oral Appliances to Treat Sleep Apnea

Oral appliances are an effective and non-invasive way to treat mild to moderate sleep apnea. Severe cases require further and far more advanced medical treatment such as CPAP or sleep therapy. Oral appliance therapy, on the other hand, entails wearing a heavy-duty device similar to a mouth guard every night to open up the airway in the back of the throat and facilitate easy breathing while you sleep. These devices don’t cure sleep apnea nor do they claim to do so. They merely alleviate the symptoms during use. Your dentist or healthcare professional can determine how long your treatment should last. Once you discontinue use of these devices, the symptoms will eventually resume. These appliances can help with snoring also.

Dental Appliance for Snoring

Snoring is caused by turbulence in the soft tissues at the back of the throat. The resulting sound is what’s known as snoring. Dental appliances can be used specifically to control snoring but will not help sleep apnea.

Temporomandibular (TMD) Joint Disorder Appliance

TMD is a minor or major misalignment in the jaw. Some of the symptoms include difficulty speaking, difficulty chewing and opening the mouth wide. TMD dental treatment involves the patient wearing a specially fitted mouthpiece during sleep that repositions the jaw or at least stops clenching and grinding. Some patients have reported physical discomfort and either temporary or permanent movement of the teeth, which is normal because the jaw is effectively being realigned. Due to this side effect, further dental treatment may be required to straighten the teeth.

At Princeview Dental Group, we help patients manage the intrusive and uncomfortable symptoms of their sleep disorders. We’ve served The Kingsway community in Toronto for over 20 years and have provided numerous dental services throughout the years, ranging from routine check-ups and cleanings to dental restorations. To book a consultation, call us at (416) 231-4562.

A dazzling smile can ignite a room

new-patient

Call Today To Book An Appointment 416-231-4562