Maybe you fall asleep on your side but somehow always wake up flat on your back. Or perhaps back sleeping is simply the position that feels most natural. If snoring tends to follow, though, your sleep, and your partner’s, may be feeling the effects.
For some people, a custom oral appliance may be an option worth discussing. SomnoDent Avant® is one such appliance, with a design that may be particularly useful for back sleepers.
What Makes SomnoDent Avant® Different?
SomnoDent Avant is worn while you sleep and is custom-made to fit your teeth and jaw. It gently positions the lower jaw forward, which is designed to help maintain the airway.
One feature that may matter to back sleepers is the way the appliance is designed to gently discourage the mouth from falling open during the night. This may promote nasal breathing and help reduce the dry mouth that some people experience when sleeping with their mouth open.
The appliance is digitally designed for your individual teeth and made from dental acrylic. It also incorporates SomnoMed’s soft b-flex Comfort Liner®, which cushions the teeth and helps keep the appliance securely in place overnight.
“The way you sleep can be an important part of the conversation when we’re looking at snoring. SomnoDent Avant gives us another custom-made option to consider, particularly for people who naturally spend a lot of the night sleeping on their back.”
— Dr Poe Lim (Dentist)
What About Sleep Apnoea?
Snoring isn’t always simply snoring. In some cases, it can be associated with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), particularly when accompanied by gasping, choking, pauses in breathing or excessive daytime tiredness.
That’s why it’s important not to self-diagnose. If OSA is suspected, appropriate medical assessment and diagnosis should come first. Your dentist can then assess whether an oral appliance is suitable for your teeth and jaw as part of your overall management plan.
Could SomnoDent Avant Suit the Way You Sleep?
There’s no single sleep appliance that’s right for everyone. Your sleeping position, dental health, jaw, symptoms and diagnosis all matter when deciding what may be appropriate.
If back sleeping and snoring are keeping your household awake, contact Chatswood Dental Associates to find out whether SomnoDent Avant may be an option for you.