A Variety of Oral Appliances for Your Unique Needs
Each patient has a unique smile, bite, and cause of obstructive sleep apnea, and no two sleep apnea sufferers respond to the same oral appliance the same way. That’s why we provide custom appliances to fit each individual’s bite and assist patients in choosing the type of appliance they may respond to well. At State College Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Donald M. Marks offers a variety of oral appliances, and we work diligently to find the right solution for any patient.
SomnoDent® Sleep Appliances
The SomnoDent® family of oral appliances for the treatment of sleep apnea all offer a gentle shift of the jaw forward during sleep. This shift forward places pressure on the soft tissue and throat muscles that typically relax and block the airway. This keeps the patients’ throat open throughout the night. SomnoDent® appliances are custom fit and crafted from high quality materials. They are also easy to adjust, making it possible for patients to speak clearly and drink water while wearing their appliance. More than 90% of patients who consistently use their SomnoDent® appliances report improved quality of sleep.
The OASYS Herbst
The Herbst appliance from OASYS is one of the most commonly recommended appliances. It offers patients dual airway dilation, keeping both the nasal and throat passages open during sleep. Because patients are able to comfortably breathe through their mouths or noses while using an OASYS oral appliance, this treatment is ideal for many patients.
The Narval
Very similar to other oral appliances, the Narval works by shifting the jaw forward, creating pressure on the throat to keep the airway open. Unlike other appliances, the custom crafted, lightweight appliance is made from a high-quality, flexible material that provides optimal comfort and effectiveness for many patients. While wearing the Narval appliance, patients have a full range of motion, allowing them to eat, drink, speak, and fully close their mouths.
The SUAD
One of the many popular appliances from the SomnoDent® oral appliance family is the SUAD. Like most oral appliances, the SUAD shifts the jaw forward. However, unlike many of the appliances that require patients to return to our office for adjustment, patients are able to quickly and easily make minor adjustments to the position of their appliances at home. This allows them maximum flexibility and makes them full partners in their sleep apnea treatment. These appliances are particularly preferred by those patients who have sensitive gag reflexes.
The EMA
The Elastic Mandibular Advancement system, commonly referred to as an EMA oral appliance, is reported by patients to be one of the most comfortable, customizable treatments available, significantly relieving the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. EMA appliances keep the throat open during sleep, allowing patients to breathe easy through the night. EMA appliances even work when patients are congested. EMA appliances come in a variety of adjustable and exchangeable sizes and shapes. Elastic tension straps allow patients to fully customize every part of their treatment.
Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP)
The Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP) mandibular advancement device is one of the longest used treatments. TAP appliances shift the jaw forward during sleep and are crafted from three separate parts: upper dental tray, lower dental tray, and a connector. The upper and lower dental trays are custom crafted to fit a patient’s bite, and the connector allows for easy adjustment by the patient from the comfort of home. These comfortable, easy to adjust appliances allow optimal comfort and maximum effectiveness.