Sleep Appliances

If you experience sleep apnea or nighttime teeth grinding, custom sleep appliances can help. General, cosmetic, and Invisalign® dentists Connie A. Miller, DDS, Matthew Sieverding, DDS, and the rest of the team at Cottage Grove Dental Care love to help patients in Marion, Iowa, find the right appliance for their needs. When you’re ready to learn more, call or click to schedule a visit.  

What are sleep appliances?

Sleep appliances are removable dental devices you wear in your mouth while you sleep. They help correct jaw issues that cause or contribute to loud snoring, sleep apnea, or teeth grinding (bruxism).

While you can purchase over-the-counter devices that promise to deliver similar results, none can match the benefits of a custom-fitted sleep appliance created for your exact oral specifications. Many of these devices are made of lesser-quality materials and offer a one-size-fits-all approach.

At Cottage Grove Dental Care, customized sleep appliances are designed for comfort. It may take a week or two to get used to the feel of wearing your device, but before long, you’ll get accustomed to placing and removing your sleep appliance.    

What are some signs I might need a sleep appliance for sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious condition in which you can’t move enough air into your lungs during sleep. That triggers your body to wake slightly and gasp for breath many times each night. 

Some of the signs you might have sleep apnea include:

• Snoring
• Daytime sleepiness
• Irritability
• Inability to focus during the day
• Gasping for breath without fully waking

In many cases, the first indication of sleep apnea is the feedback of a partner whose own rest is routinely disturbed by your snoring, gasping, or other symptoms. A custom sleep appliance slightly alters the way your bottom jaw aligns during sleep, helping keep your airway open during the night.  

Can sleep appliances help treat bruxism?

Bruxism is the medical term for nighttime teeth grinding. Some of the signs you might be grinding your teeth at night include:

• Daytime drowsiness
• Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
• Worn down teeth
• Dental or jaw pain
• Sounds of grinding noted by a sleep partner

A sleep appliance, called a night guard, creates a barrier between your teeth during the night. That helps improve your dental health and also your nightly rest. 

Oral appliances can also help improve temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD or TMJ). These devices ease tension in your jaw while you sleep, helping preserve normal joint function. 

To learn more, call Cottage Grove Dental Care to book a visit. Online scheduling is also an option and can be completed in just a few clicks.