A review of a splint device fitted for sleep apnea treatment.

I had a sleep study because of my severe snoring, and the results showed that I had mild symptoms, but did not need a positive pressure machine, so I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and needed treatment and management.
There are three treatment methods for sleep apnea: surgery, positive airway pressure (CPAP), and oral splints. I was recommended to wear a splint at the hospital, and after consulting with a specialist, I had a custom-made oral splint made.

I had been worried about my snoring so much that I finally made up my mind and went to the hospital.

I had a sleep study and the results came back as mild sleep apnea.

A review of a splint device fitted for sleep apnea treatment.

5~15 is mild

15~30 is moderate

30 or more is severe, 30 or more is severe.

My score was 7.8, so I didn't have severe sleep apnea.

I was really relieved that the hospital said it wasn't at a level that required a CPAP machine, but they also said it wasn't at a level that could be ignored.

In this case, the hospital recommended a splint, an oral device, as a treatment for sleep apnea.

But this is where my troubles began!

I have braces, so I still wear a removable retainer when I sleep. I wear the retainer on my upper teeth, and I usually wear a splint on my upper teeth, but I can't wear both.

I'm afraid that my teeth will move back if I don't wear a retainer, but I can't give up on treating my sleep apnea...

I went to the dentist I used to go to for a consultation, and in my case, it had been a long time since I had finished orthodontic treatment, so my teeth had settled in.

The splint itself wraps around the entire tooth, so it looks almost exactly like a retainer and functions quite similarly. So, they told me that I could just wear the splint. They also said that since the splint wraps around the tooth more firmly than the retainer, I didn't have to worry about my teeth moving.

This dental clinic specializes in orthodontics and dental treatment, so I had to go to another specialized hospital to get a splint for sleep apnea treatment. So I looked around several places and found a place where I could get it custom-made.

The hospital was a specialty hospital for treating sleep apnea.

Looking at the booklet the hospital gave me, it seemed like my case was exactly the same as the one where I needed to use the device.

Bioguard=Splint is a medical device.

The dentist in charge told me that I didn't have to worry about my teeth becoming crooked because the splint was made by taking a mold of my teeth and fitting it, which was the same advice I would get at a dentist, so I felt reassured.

After the consultation, the process was photo taking - mold making - device manufacturing (usually takes about a week), and I went to pick up the device a week later.

I received splints for both my upper and lower teeth. The shape is It was similar to a retainer.

It's smaller and lighter than I thought. It's also a little smaller than the retainer.

The teacher explained the principle in detail again.

When you wear a splint device, it slightly pulls the lower jaw forward and holds it in place, which naturally treats sleep apnea by ensuring a sufficient airway.

This is what it looks like when wearing a splint.

I already wore a retainer, so I don't feel any discomfort and it feels the same as wearing a retainer.

For those who snore loudly like me, I highly recommend getting a sleep study to see if you have sleep apnea.

As stated in the pamphlet above, if sleep apnea is severe, the risk of stroke and high blood pressure is high.

The goal of treating sleep apnea is not to see short-term results, but to reduce the burden on the body and facilitate oxygen breathing. So, for healthy and high-quality sleep, I will continue to wear it without fail!

Dentistry

A review of a splint device fitted for sleep apnea treatment.