Snoring or sleep apnoea?
A snoring splint, also called a protrusion splint, is suitable for snoring at the base of the tongue – both for «ordinary» snoring and for mild to moderate sleep apnoea. It keeps the airways open during sleep, improves oxygen supply and reduces snoring.
If snoring is accompanied by pauses in breathing at night, this is called sleep apnoea. Pauses of more than 10 seconds reduce the oxygen supply to the circulation and the brain and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. A professional assessment for obstructive sleep apnoea is then essential.
Causes
Snoring has external (exogenous) and internal (endogenous) causes. You can partly influence the external ones yourself: lying on your back lets the tongue sink into the throat; sleeping pills and alcohol relax all muscles too much; smoking irritates the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat, which can swell. Physical and anatomical causes include:
Snoring increases with age in both men and women. From the age of 60 onwards, it affects 60% of men and 40% of women. In women, oestrogen production falls during menopause, the muscles along the airways slacken and the tissue becomes drier.
- Excess weight, which narrows the airways
- Swollen or irritated nasal membranes, for example from hay fever or house dust allergy
- A bent or crooked nasal septum
- Mouth breathing
- Enlarged tonsils and nasal polyps
- Jaw misalignment
- A low-lying tongue
How the snoring splint works
Snoring occurs when soft tissue and muscle partly close the airways and the soft palate begins to vibrate. The mandibular advancement splint is the solution most frequently recommended by dentists, and its effectiveness is scientifically proven. Worn over the upper and lower teeth during sleep, it moves the lower jaw forward relative to the upper jaw. As a rule, about 8–10 mm is enough to keep the airways open; we make further adjustments if needed.
The treatment is painless and non-invasive, and therefore also suits anxious patients. The splint is made from high-precision impressions to fit your mouth and teeth exactly; the dental laboratory takes existing dentures into account, which prevents a faulty bite.
Monobloc or biblock
A protrusion splint consists of two splints for the upper and lower jaw, connected rigidly or flexibly by bands or screws.
Monobloc splints are made in one piece. They are easy to insert and wear and are particularly suitable for first-time users. However, the degree of advancement cannot be changed later and there is no freedom of movement – too little for many people in long-term use.
Biblock splints are joined by flexible hinges, elastic bands, plastic straps or metal screw connections that can be adjusted or loosened. Distance and advancement are set individually, and only forward and backward movement is restricted. The lateral freedom of movement keeps the jaw relaxed even during long wear. If readjustment is likely from the outset, a biblock splint is advisable.
Who is it suitable for?
Every snorer can benefit from a snoring splint. Gaps in the teeth and dentures must, however, be considered when choosing one. The splint keeps the lower jaw under constant slight tension, which has to be borne by the rows of teeth. With a complete set of teeth and a splint covering the whole row, this is usually not a problem. Splints that do not reach the back teeth and overload the front and canine teeth should be avoided.
A few missing teeth are no obstacle. If several teeth are missing in a row, we assess whether the teeth provide enough support. We use protrusion splints from Somnomed, which are also suitable for patients with removable dentures. With fixed implants or bridges, a snoring splint is generally possible; we discuss this with you beforehand.
Care and durability
Clean the splint after every use with a manual toothbrush and cold or lukewarm water; water that is too hot can deform it. At least once a week, soak it for about 10 minutes in a mild denture-cleaning solution – we are happy to advise you. Brush your teeth thoroughly before putting it in, so that no food remains under the splint encourage decay.
With careful care, a splint lasts about 5 years. Use it only as long as there is no visible damage; if it has been damaged by grinding or no longer fits properly, we make a new one.
Snoring during pregnancy
Pregnant women often snore, especially towards the end of pregnancy: the nasal membranes receive more blood and swell, hormones – above all progesterone – loosen the tissue in the nasopharynx, and weight gain and pressure in the abdomen add to it. It is usually harmless for mother and child, and snoring generally stops after the birth as suddenly as it began.
Take care with nasal sprays containing oxymetazoline, xylometazoline or tetryzoline: during pregnancy they should be used only in exceptional cases. They dry out the membranes and quickly lead to habituation and higher doses; high doses can narrow the blood vessels in the placenta and leave the unborn child undersupplied.
- A cool bedroom with sufficient humidity
- Raise your head or sleep on your side
- Nasal strips from the pharmacy
- Nasal spray with hypertonic saline, saline gel or nasal oils to moisturise the membranes