Who doesn’t feel better after a good night’s rest? These days, snoring isn’t simply noisy, it’s considered a serious medical condition that requires immediate treatment. Why? Studies link snoring to major health concerns such as heart attacks and strokes – as well as divorce. Because the problem is so widespread, (upwards of 30% of the population suffering from it, not to mention the innocent bystanders), and the linkages so grave, snoring is getting more attention by all facets of the medical community today. 

As a result, snoring solutions have made tremendous headway. Innovations focused on opening up the air passageways that close intermittently when one snores, range from taping the nose to surgery. The net result? The vibratory sound of snoring disappears and more oxygen is delivered to the brain and body so the sleeper gets a therapeutic really good night’s rest – and so do the individuals within earshot. 

Because the chances of snoring increase as we age and gain weight, one innovation that warrants particular close attention is mandibular advancement splints (MAS), a dental appliance that advances the lower jaw slightly, thereby pulling the tongue forward, permitting a freer flow of oxygen to the heart, brain, and entire body.

The MAS can help alleviate some of the aches and pains associated with aging or excessive weight gain.

The MAS appliance does not carry the risks or costs of surgery or CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine often used as the gold standard therapeutic snoring solution. CPAP requires the patient to wear a mask and sleep on their back. It is a very good device if used regularly and properly, but many patients who were prescribed the CPAP refuse to use it. The MAS appliance is welcome news for spouses of snorers. A patient’s husband reports the CPAP sounds like ‘a roaring freight train next to your head’. 

So, for those not complying with their CPAP, the MAS dental appliance is a convenient, economical last resort for patients and their loved ones. The morning after the patient wore her MAS appliance for the first time she told her husband that ‘she had the best night’s sleep ever’ – her brain and body were getting the oxygen they needed.

The MAS is made of a moldable plastic similar to an athletic mouth-guard and is worn at night. It is custom-fitted by a dentist to promote optimal air-flow and comfort. Patients include members of the medical community, including doctors, who enjoy wonderful results without surgery or CPAP and consider it essential for overall general health. 

For those that have suffered from snoring, one should consult a qualified medical partnership between their general doctor and a qualified dental provider with special training in jaw alignment and snoring cessation.