Snoring, noise produced during sleep

Up to 40 % of the population in industrialised countries snore. The decreasing muscle tone during sleep causes a narrowing of the upper respiratory tract. This narrowing accelerates the respiratory airflow and thereby various structures in the area of the upper respiratory tract start to vibrate and cause the snoring noise. So snoring is a mechanical process that can be counteracted mechanically. Here the dental therapy comes into action. Light or primary snoring is normal and does not have consequences on health whereas heavy and abnormal snoring does.

Apnea, convulsive catching of breathe during sleep

Sleep apnea is, at a certain level of severity, a serious disease that may cause not only sleepiness during the day but also serious systemic diseases. Apnea is a functional respiratory stop. Obstructive apnea is a complete occlusion of the respiratory tract whereas in case of central apnea the central respiratory reflex arrests. Hypopnea is a reduction of the respiratory flow by more than 50 %. The apnea/hypopnea index, AHI is the degree of the severity of the disease. An apnea/hypopnea lasts at least 10 sec. The apneas per hour are counted, 10 apneas per hour result in an index of 10. An index of 0 to 5 is normal, 5 to 10 is a light, 10 to 20 a median range and more than 20 a severe disease. An obstructive apnea is characterised by an interruption of the very noisy and usually abrasive snoring. Central apnea, however, has no external signs.

The effectiveness of the Silensor-sl

The Silensor-sl consists of one splint for the upper jaw and one splint for the lower jaw. The lower jaw is either held in a predetermined position or advanced by the 2 connectors that are fixed laterally to the splint. The Silensor-sl thus counteracts the narrowing of the respiratory tracts. The velocity of the inspired air decreases and so do noise-generating vibrations of the soft tissues. With the Silensor-sl lateral and protrusive jaw movements are possible but with no falling back of the lower jaw. With this extended function the Silensor-sl is a comfortable and at the same time effective snore control appliance. Clinical tests have shown that the advancement of the lower jaw considerably reduces snoring in more than 80 % of patients and may reduce the apnea index by up to 50%.

When is the Silensor-sl suitable?

The Silensor-sl can be expected to be very successful since in almost all cases the noise involved in snoring is caused by constriction of the airways. Because of its compact design, the device does not inhibit breathing through the mouth. With severe corpulence a good success of the treating, however, is doubtful. The effectiveness will thus be increasingly reduced at a BMI (body-mass-index) of more than 30 and a neck circumference of more than 44 cm. The Silensor-sl cannot be used with edentulous patients. Your dentist can evaluate if in circumstances of partial dentition there will be adequate retention. If a sleep apnea is suspected, the efficacy of the Silensor-sl should be assessed in a sleep laboratory considering the seriousness of this disease.

Hints for wearing Silensor-Sl

Upon insertion of the Silensor-sl the patient may experience some tension. This will disappear normally in a short time. Clean well and allow to air dry between uses.

Side-effects

If the wearer of the Silensor-sl suspects tooth movement has occurred the prescribing practitioner should be informed of it as quickly as possible. The dentist will then decide if the appliance can further be worn. After removal of the splint the patient may feel to various degrees a change in the bite relationship – the jaws feel slightly out of alignment. This condition will disappear in a short time and will have no consequences according to several tests. In the beginning of the Silensor-sl therapy there will often be increased salivation. This will, however, generally soon decrease again.