Using a new oral appliance can feel daunting at first but with our help, it’s easy. When you start wearing an oral appliance on a nightly basis, you will get the best night of sleep yet and finally live your best life. To help you get started with your new oral appliance, please read through the following questions and answers. If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to call our Omaha office at (402) 493-4175.
We recommend cleaning your oral appliance daily using foaming soap (e.g. Method foaming soap), a soft-bristled toothbrush, and cold water. We also recommend soaking your appliance in Closys mouthwash during the day. The rinse should be changed once per week. If you have pets, please be sure to keep your appliance in a closed container so they aren’t able to get to it!
The purpose of the AM aligner/MOG is to ensure your natural jaw position does not change. You must do these. Each morning, about 30 minutes after removing your oral appliance, insert your AM aligner and “nibble up & down” into the bite exercise plate for at least 10 sec. then release and repeat this until your teeth are touching normally on the back teeth. Use a mirror to also make sure your teeth are fully into the indentations of the aligner.
The reason we do Home Sleep Tests is to make sure your custom oral appliance is controlling your apnea adequately. Following your test, one of our dentists looks at your results, makes recommendations, and one of our team members calls you to go over these. Once your symptoms are resolved and your apnea is objectively controlled, you are moved to a maintenance routine schedule to make sure all remains well. If anything comes up between those routine appointments, give our office a call so we can handle it appropriately.
If you ever feel something isn’t feeling right, please give our office a call so we can either troubleshoot over the phone or make an appointment for you to come in. We need to make sure you are comfortable and wearing your appliance all night, every night!
Traveling with your oral appliance is easy! It’s helpful to take and keep your appliance in a small thermos to prevent melting in case it’ll be in warmer temperatures. Be sure to keep it handy on transportation (bus, train, plane, etc.) if you plan on napping! Brush it with soap and cold water just like you do at home.
Sometimes subjective symptoms (e.g. snoring, energy, etc.) don’t align with the level of apnea. Even if you feel or sound better, we need to make sure the appliance is adequately controlling the apnea, thus normalizing the many, many health risks related to obstructive sleep apnea.
Never make any advancements without instructions from our office. If and when we have instructed you to make advancements, here are instructions for your particular appliance.
OASYS HINGE
To advance the appliance you will turn the gear in the direction of the arrow 180 degrees from words on top to words on the bottom. The direction is opposite on each side. If you make an advancement on one side you MUST make an advancement on the other side.
DREAM TAP
To advance the appliance you will have it in your mouth. You will put the hex key in the front hole and toward your right ear, flush to flush.
DORSAL
To advance the appliance you will turn the gear in the direction of the arrow. The direction is opposite on each side. If you make an advancement on one side you MUST make an advancement on the other side.
HERBST
To advance the appliance you will turn the gear in the direction of the arrow. If you make an advancement on one side you MUST make an advancement on the other side.
O2VENT
To advance the appliance you will have it in your mouth. You will put the hex key in the front hole and turn toward your left ear, flush to flush.
PROSOMNUS CA
To advance the appliance you will turn the gear in the direction of the arrow. If you make an advancement on one side you MUST make an advancement on the other side.
SOMNODENT
To advance the appliance you will turn the gear in the direction of the arrow. The direction is opposite on each side. If you make an advancement on one side you MUST make an advancement on the other side.
TAP 1
To advance the appliance you will have it in your mouth. You will turn the front assembly piece towards your left ear flush to flush.
TAP 3
To advance the appliance you will have it in your mouth. You will put the hex key in the front hole and toward your left ear, flush to flush.
While jaw soreness isn’t common with an oral appliance, it does happen sometimes. Click on this video for some exercises you can do to alleviate any soreness you are feeling. If pain persists, please call our office so we can get you comfortable ASAP.
