Dental sleep medicine
Mandibular advancement appliances when clearly medically indicated
Snoring can be harmless, but it can also be associated with sleep-related breathing disorders. Obstructive sleep apnoea should therefore be medically assessed before dental appliance therapy is planned.
When appropriately indicated, a custom-made mandibular advancement appliance can hold the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep and thereby help stabilise the upper airway.
What does dental sleep medicine mean?
Dental sleep medicine considers whether and how a custom-made oral appliance may help with snoring or a medically diagnosed sleep-related breathing disorder. The focus is not the sound of snoring itself, but upper-airway function, jaw position and the dental starting situation.
In Basel, before appliance therapy we assess the teeth, periodontal support, temporomandibular joints and bite. If obstructive sleep apnoea is suspected, medical diagnosis belongs with sleep medicine, pulmonology or ENT. Dental treatment complements this assessment and, when appropriately indicated, is integrated into the overall treatment concept.
Who may be suitable for a mandibular advancement appliance?
Suitability depends on the medical diagnosis, severity of the breathing disorder, dental and jaw conditions and individual factors. The dental assessment complements sleep-medicine diagnostics.
Dental prerequisites
Sufficiently stable teeth or an appropriate prosthetic situation.
Assessment of the temporomandibular joints and mouth opening.
Assessment of the gums and periodontal stability.
Regular follow-up of fit, effect and possible side effects.
Collaboration with medical colleagues
For sleep apnoea, treatment should ideally be coordinated with pulmonology, ENT or sleep medicine. An oral appliance does not replace medical diagnostics.
Further information
Medically integrated. We regard the appliance as part of coordinated treatment – not as an isolated product.
Note: This information is for guidance and does not replace an individual examination and consultation.
