Oral appliances provide direct and non-invasive care for addressing dental conditions. They are fabricated out of transparent plastic material and fit securely on the upper and bottom arch of teeth. Oral appliances can treat sleep apnea, nighttime
teeth grinding, bite problems, or jawbone joint disorders. At iTooth Family Dentistry, we provide innovative oral appliances based on your preferences and treatment goals.
What Are Oral Appliances?
An oral appliance is a tiny retainer fitted over teeth and works to slightly advance the lower jaw, shifting the tongue's base forward to open the airway. This improves breathing and reduces sleep apnea conditions. Oral appliances can be customized for your unique requirements and can be removed and replaced. Based on the disorders they treat, many devices are worn at night before going to bed.
Benefits of Oral Appliances
Oral appliances offer many benefits including:
The oral appliances are comfortable to wear. They are fashioned to accommodate every curve of your unique oral cavity composition, ensuring a perfect fit and relaxing experience.
The oral appliances do not require any procedure to be performed. The appliance needs a tiny clasp placed onto the tooth with adhesive to attach the oral device into position. This procedure is non-invasive and painless.
When you are traveling, you can carry your oral appliance with you. Besides the carrying case and cleaning solution, no special equipment is required to take your oral device.
When Can Oral Appliances Be Used?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that could affect anyone. Patients suffering from this condition experience frequent pauses in their breathing throughout sleep. This is caused by the throat tissues blocking the airway, disturbing the sleep of a person. An oral appliance can be used to address this severe sleep disorder and work by keeping the tongue and jaw in an appropriate position, preventing airway obstruction.
Teeth grinding is another chronic sleep disorder in which patients grind their teeth during sleep due to bite or jaw alignment problems. An oral appliance worn at night can prevent the damaging effects of
teeth grinding. These appliances usually rest between the back teeth and reduce the pressure or movement. Nighttime
teeth grinding can cause headaches, jaw pain, worn molars, and even loose teeth without these appliances.
To learn more about our oral appliance options, visit our office, iTooth Family Dentistry, at 3211 E Battlefield Rd #100, Springfield, MO 65804. You can also reach us at (417) 883-8515 and schedule an appointment.