Snore Guards and TMJ in Lakewood, CO
If you snore frequently or are diagnosed with sleep apnea by a doctor or sleep specialist, addressing these problems is a must. When you visit us for the treatment of these conditions, we start by discussing your medical history. After conducting your dental examination, we will decide on the treatment option. One of the best and most cost-effective treatments to solve your problem is the use of snore guards.
How Does a Snore Guard Work?
A snore guard is designed to prevent you from breathing from your mouth when you sleep. Breathing through the mouth is the most common cause of snoring because it creates vibrations in your throat, thus leading to noise. A snore guard is designed just like a mouthguard used to treat TMJ or sleep apnea. It has a slim design that fits comfortably in your mouth. The size is large enough to prevent choking while sleeping with the device.
We take the impressions of your mouth to design the guard so that it fits you snugly. Some designs also protect you from bruxism or grinding of teeth while you are asleep. The two popular types of snore guards are:
- Mandibular Repositioning Device
A mandibular repositioning device helps you reposition your lower jaw so that it remains down and forward, thus creating an open path for inhaling and exhaling air.
- Tongue Retaining Device
A tongue retaining device ensures that your tongue remains in place and prevents the blocking of airways. When the airways are open, the chances of snoring are lesser.
What is TMJ Disorder?
Sometimes, any stressful situation urges your teeth to bite together, which triggers bruxism. It leads to many problems like wear and tear of teeth, broken teeth, pain in the jaw, or even headaches. The condition is known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Too much grinding leads to the wearing of your teeth, and they can become chipped or damaged. It may also result in damage to the abfraction (neck of your teeth). Your enamel becomes exposed, causing tooth sensitivity. Similarly, clenching of teeth also tenses your jaw muscles and creates an impact within your skull.
We may offer a nightguard to fit over your upper and lower teeth to treat this condition. When you wear a nightguard, it provides stable tooth contacts during jaw closure. This oral appliance also corrects your bite by putting your jaw in a more favorable position. Nightguards are worn only during the night. We may also offer another oral appliance called splints to wear throughout the day to treat your disorder. Both these devices are customized to fit your jaw perfectly.
To find out more about the dental services offered at Aaron E Slavsky DDS, call Dentist Lakewood CO at 303.233.1704.
