Oral appliance therapy is an excellent way to treat snoring, sleep apnea, and other disorders like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). At Bancroft Dobrin Orthodontics in Waldrick and Teaneck, New Jersey, the team provides oral appliances to help you achieve better relief from oral problems that affect your sleep and quality of life. To learn more, schedule a visit online or over the phone today.
request an appointmentWhat are oral appliances?
Oral appliances are devices that can correct your bite to improve oral health problems. When you have medical conditions like sleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep, or TMJ, a disorder that causes jaw clicking and pain, appliances can help get the comfort and quality sleep you need.
The dentists at Bancroft Dobrin Orthodontics can help you manage oral health issues and maintain a healthy smile.
When might I need oral appliances?
You might need oral appliances if you have sleep-related issues or jaw dysfunction that affects your quality of life.
Some conditions that may benefit from oral appliance therapy include:
Snoring
Your muscles relax when you’re asleep, which in turn, allows the tissues at the back of the mouth and around your throat to fall into your airway. As you breathe throughout sleep, tissues within the airway begin to vibrate, causing snoring.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a chronic health condition characterized by frequent interruptions in your breathing while asleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea, and it occurs when the muscles in your throat relax during sleep and cut off your air supply. You might have loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, and wake up with a dry mouth.
Often the clearest indication of sleep apnea is the complaints of your sleep partner, who may find themselves unable to get a good night’s rest because of your snoring and sudden gasping for air.
TMJ
Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, refers to pain located in the hinge-like joints of the jaw. The TMJ connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull (temporal bone) in front of the ear.
A variety of medical conditions including injury, misalignment of the teeth or jaw, teeth grinding, and gum chewing can cause TMJ discomfort.
How can oral appliances help me?
Oral appliances can move your lower jaw slightly forward to treat snoring and sleep apnea, or stabilize the jaw joints for issues like TMJ.
If you have bruxism, you might also benefit from a night guard, which helps to create a cushion between your teeth and prevent teeth grinding at night.
If you’re ready to learn more about your options for oral appliances, call Bancroft Dobrin Orthodontics or schedule a consultation online today.