What do Sleep Apnea Splints (Silensor-sl) treat?

With the Sleep Apnea Splints – Silensor-sl can αντιμετωπιστει up to a certain extent the problem of snoring. 50% of the bedroom, the sound sleep is interrupted by intense and disturbing snoring, a sound sound power up to 90 Dezibel!! With the increase of age, suffers more than half of the population of the problems that lead to snoring:

40-60% have primary snoring, no blackouts breathing
5-10% is suffering from a pathological snoring, the Syndrome of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSAS), with health risks, such as arterial and pulmonary hypertension, arrhythmias and myocardial infarction,as well as problems in sexuality.

The degree of effectiveness the intraoral Sleep Apnea Splints – Silensor-sl in light and middle form of the syndrome obstructive sleep apneahas already been certified in several studies. The application is recommended by the German association of specialist dental sleep medicine (Deutsche Gesellschalft Zahnärztliche Schlafmedizin (DGZS)), as a form of therapy that can address the cause of the syndrome -which is the obstruction - and not just the symptoms. For the application of the intraoral device Silensor-sl it is necessary to become a dental and oral diagnosis by the dentist and then visit to the specialist pulmonologist, who will examine the patient.

The diagnosis of the syndrome it will be original to night oximetry but with a polysomnography sleep study, which will give the apnea-hypopnea index (Αpnea-hypopnea Index, AHI).

The function of Splints Apnea – Silensor-sl?

With the intraoral snoring treatment opens a new field of action with a multidisciplinary focus of the dentist and the pulmonologist. With the intra-oral device Silensor-sl pushed the mandible forward, thereby preventing obstruction of the pharyngeal lumen. At the same time, it increases pharyngeal muscle tone and opens the upper airway. As a result, breathing is not interrupted—apnea and snoring do not occur. Relevant studies and international literature on this exist dating back to 1984.

The innovative design of the Silensor-sl sleep-apnea splint offers more than any other device known to date. Earlier appliances incorporated mechanical elements on the labial/buccal side during fabrication, which could traumatize the oral soft tissues. Other devices allowed only limited—or no—mandibular mobility, adversely affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and potentially leading to muscular problems. Another important issue is poor patient compliance, so long-term outcomes are not achieved.

Developed and manufactured in collaboration with leading dentists, pulmonologists, gnathologists (TMJ specialists), and dental technicians, the new Silensor-sl intraoral appliance meets patients’ high expectations for comfort during sleep.

Why do I snore?

Up to 40% of the population in industrialized countries snore. The reduction of muscle tone during sleep causes stenosis of the upper respiratory tract. This narrowing accelerate the respiratory air flow. In this way, the various structures in the region of the upper respiratory tract start to vibrate and cause the noise of snoring. So, snoring is a mechanical process which can be viewed by mechanical means. Here the dental treatment comes in action. Light or primary snoring has no health effects, while the rhonchopathy, the pathological snoringhas consequences.

Apnea, the cessation of breathing during sleep

The sleep apneafrom a certain extent, then, is a serious disease that can not only induce drowsiness during the day but also serious diseases of the human body. The apnea is a total cessation of the respiratory system. The obstructive apnea is a complete obstruction of the respiratory tract while in the case of central (brain) apnea the reflexes of the central respiratory decline. The υπόπνοια is the reduction of the respiratory flow by more than 50%. The apnea/ hypopnea indexthe AHI is the degree of severity of the disease.

An apnea or hypopnea lasts at least 10 seconds.
The apneas are calculated per hour of sleep
10 apneas per hour and give as a result a pointer of 10
An index from 0 to 5 is normal
5 to 10 is a lightweight
10 to 20 indicates an intermediate position, and
index of more than 20 of a serious illness

A obstructive apnea it is characterized by the interruption of a very noisy snoring (rhonchopathy). The central apnea, however, has no external signs. Profuse sweating during the night, frequent nocturnal urination and dry mouth may indications for the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and syndrome of resistance of the upper airway (UARS).

The effectiveness of the splint apnea Silensor-sl:

The Silensor-SL consists of a transparent splint for the maxilla and one for the mandible. The mandible or is held at a predetermined position or προολισθαίνει through 2 connections laid down next to the narthex. The Silensor-sl it neutralizes the narrowing of the respiratory tract. The speed of the inhaled air decreases and so does the noise produced by vibrations of the soft tissues. With the Silensor-sl movements of the jaw is possible, but it prevents posterior movement of the mandible. With this function, the Silensor-sl is a comfortable and at the same time effective protective against snoring. Clinical tests* have shown that the promotion of the mandible significantly reduces snoring in more than 80% of patients and may reduce the apnea index at a rate of up to 50%.

When is the Silensor-sl suitable?

The use of the Silensor-sl it is expected to be very successful given that in almost all cases, the noise involved in the snoring is caused by the contraction of the airway. Due to the compact design of the device does not inhibit breathing through the mouth. In the case of severe obesity the success of treatment, however, is dubious. So the efficacy will be reduced more and more in BMI (mass Index-body) over 30.

The Silensor-sl can not be used in patients with total edentulism (patients with denture) and should be applied only to a partial denture that has sufficient restraint. It is up to the dentist to assess whether the remaining teeth provide enough restraint.

If there is a suspicion of sleep apnea, the effectiveness of the Silensor-sl should be evaluated in a sleep lab taking into account the severity of the disease. The use of the Silensor-sl it is expected to be very successful since in almost all cases, the noise involved in the snoring is caused by the contraction of the airway. Due to the compact design, the device does not suspend the breath through the mouth.

In the case of severe obesity the success of treatment, however, is questionable. So the efficacy will be reduced more and more in BMI (mass Index-body) over 30.

Tips for the placement of the Silensor-sl:

During the initial placement of the Silensor-sl the patient may experience some tension. It will disappear, usually in a short period of time.

Side effects:

At the beginning of treatment with the Silensor-sl often there will be increased salivation. This, however, you'll generally be reduced in a short period of time.
The morning after the removal of the splint, the patient may feel a slight change in the occlusion of the teeth. Feel the lower jaw closes a bit more in front of its normal position. This situation will disappear in a short time, and there will be no consequences.
If the user of the Silensor-sl realize movement of some tooth, you need to inform the doctor as soon as possible. Then, the dentist will decide if the Silensor-sl can be worn again, or must first be some interference.