Anti Snoring Treatment

Snoring is the sound of obstructed breathing in the respiratory tract during sleep. It may be soft or quite loud. The blockage is usually related to the soft palate at the back of the throat, the uvula, the small piece of tissue that hangs from the soft palate, and the tongue.

Snoring can be a serious problem if the periods of obstruction are prolonged. In some cases, a sleep study will be done to check the severity of the problem.

Often, a special dental appliance can treat snoring effectively. A professional trained in sleep apnea (episodes of obstruction of breathing during sleep) dentistry can consult and decide if this type of appliance is appropriate for the individual patient.

A mandibular advancement splint (MAS) is the most commonly used oral appliance for sleep apnea. The device repositions the lower jaw into a more forward position. This pulls the tongue forward and stabilizes the mouth in a position that keeps the airway clear. Another type of device is a tongue retaining appliance, which creates suction on the tongue to keep it in a forward position so it will not obstruct the throat during sleep. Both appliances are fitted over the teeth, similar to an athletic mouth guard or retainer.

While some oral appliances for snoring prevention are offered over-the-counter, they are not likely to be as effective as those molded specifically for the individual patient’s mouth by the dentist.