1. What is snoring?
Snoring is mostly due to a restriction of airflow most commonly at the rear of the mouth in the area above the voice box known as the oropharynx. Because the airway is restricted and the lungs need the same amount of air, the air speed increases and the usually flaccid tissues within the oropharynx vibrate, resulting in the snoring noise.
2. What is obstructive sleep apnoea?
This is a rather more severe condition often associated with snoring, where the airway is briefly and repeatedly fully constricted. Air can no longer enter the lungs and beathing stops. The blood oxygen levels reduce and the brain sends out an emergency signal causing a deep gasping breath. These episodes can occur many times each hour.
3. What is CPAP and is there an alternative?
CPAP is short for continuous positive airway pressure and is air pushed thru the constrained oropharyngeal space by way of a face mask worn all night attached to an air pump. The two principle alternative choices to CPAP are surgery to the soft palate and uvula or mandibular advancement appliances. Sugery however isn’t as well proven in research studies and is known to be agonizing.
4. How long will a plastic mandibular advancement appliance last for?
These devices have a limited life span and will require frequent replacement. As we age our capability to accept new demands and the wearing of a new and foreign appliances in the mouth decreases. So in prescribing these plastic or acrylic devices are we storing up long-term problems for the hapless snorer?
5. How long will a new 4th generation mandibular advancement device made of chrome cobalt last for?
Providing the mouth teeth and gums are well maintained then these appliances should work in the mouth indefinitely. They can be simply altered if the amount of advancement needs to be increased. Chrome coablt is well established as the standard marterial for high quality dentures. Further advantages include excellent durability and longevity, as well as improved oral hygiene. Micro-organisms can’t colonize the surface.
Loran Simon is a Director at Somnowell. The Somnowell is the first chrome cobalt oral device to be used in the management of snoring and sleep apnoea.
