Appliances Used in Our Office

We use several oral appliances in our office depending on the size and shape of your mouth and tongue. Dr. Addy will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each with you before making a final choice.

• CPAP Pro
  

  CPAP/PRO is a nasal pillow device that is held in place by custom or boil and bite appliance. It may also attach to a mandibular repositioning appliance.

  FDA Approval: Approved for both snoring and OSA
  Date of FDA Approval: Dec. 1, 1999
  FDA Registration Number: K992384

• Elastic Mandibular Advancement Appliance (EMA)
  

  The EMA® - Custom appliance is a simple, patient-friendly oral appliance created for noninvasive treatment of snoring and OSA. The primary treatment mechanism of opening the bite and gently moving the mandible forward is achieved with the use of interchangeable elastic straps that offer varying degrees of mandibular advancement. The flexibility of these elastic straps provides unsurpassed lateral movement and overall TMJ comfort. The 2 mm thick pressure formed bases offer orthodontic retention (resulting in no tooth movement) and maximum anterior tongue space because there are no projections in the palate.

  The Elastic Mandibular Advancement (EMA®) appliance uses elastic force to advance the mandible. Hand plastic trays are pressure formed to the patient''s models and utilize the undercut areas of the teeth for retention. This insures that there will be no movement of the patient''s teeth. Bite planes are used to open the bite. Mandibular advancement is achieved with different length straps. The elastic pull can also be adjusted to suit the patient''s musculature. The straps provide complete lateral movement.

  The EMA® - Custom is available only to dental professionals
  FDA Approval: Approved for both Snoring and OSA
  Date of FDA Approval: Sept. 29, 1997
  FDA Registration Number: K971794

• Silent Nite
  

  The Silent Nite(r) appliance is prescribed by more dentists for the initial treatment of snoring. Persons with mild sleep apnea also may be treated when surgical and other medical treatments are ineffective or not desired. A soft/hard frame material is available for increased

  patient comfort.

  FDA Approval: Approved for Snoring and OSA

  Date of FDA Approval: September 18, 1997

  FDA Registration Number: K972424

• SomnoDent(r) MAS
  

  The SomnoDent(r) MAS is a custom-made device, consisting of upper and lower dental plates with a unique patented fin-coupling component, which allows normal mouth opening and closing. If required, a part can be added to make the device adjustable. This feature provides incremental and adjustable levels of lower jaw advancement, which improves the effectiveness and comfort-level of treatment as the jaw is moved only as far as is required to alleviate snoring and reduce OSA. Key features and benefits of the device include: Permits normal mouth opening Allows speech and drinking Provides full lip-seal Easily adjustable Safe and effective Clinically proven Custom-fitted Additionally, the SomnoDent(r) MAS is made from durable fade-proof acrylic that retains its shape and color for at least four-five years and is covered by a two year manufacturer''s warranty.

  FDA Approval received July 2005

• SUAD
  

  The SUAD is also a custom-made appliance that is made of a heat-sensitive acrylic and is reinforced by a metal framework. The SUADadjustment mechanism (Herbst) is positioned on the sides of the device and consists of a piston that slides within a tube. The appliance is comfortable on the teeth and the mechanism allows good freedom of movement of the jaw. Therefore it is used frequently in patients who tend to grind their teeth heavily. The position of the jaw can be adjusted by using small rings that slide over the piston and when the tube is positioned over the piston it will advance the jaw the width of the ring. Small elastics (rubber bands) are used to keep the jaw from falling open during the night although the patient is able to partially open the mouth, which can improve comfort when using the appliance.
• Tongue Retaining Device (TRD)
  

  The TRD is lab constructed of a flexible polyvinyl material adapted to the general contours of the teeth and dental arches. It does not depend on teeth for retention. Rather, the tongue is held forward by the negative pressure created in the vacuum bulb on the front of the appliance.

  The appliance is available in four tongue extensions and with or without air way tubes for patients with compromised airway patency. It is constructed in conjunction with the Kel Gauge (described in another section of this program.)

  Since the mandible is not rigidly or firmly held by the appliance, freedom of movement is possible during use. This would seem to make the TRD a good choice for the edentulous patient, the patient with periodontal disease and the patient with temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

  There is ample research available documenting the effectiveness for treatment of snoring and OSA in certain patients.

  NOTE: Mandibular repositioners have been successfully used in edentulous patients over dentures in certain cases where the dentures have had adequate retention. Mandibular repositioners have also been successfully used in patients with compromised periodontal status or TMJ function. In these cases, however, the clinician needs to be especially careful in design and follow up.

  FDA Approval: Approved for both snoring and OSA
  Date of FDA Approval:
  FDA Registration Number: