Devices
01. Mouthguard that can provide best performance
But how do you choose the right one? Is it solely about the design?
While design plays a pivotal role, imagine if your mouthguard offered more than just protection. What if it could elevate your performance? We believe in integrating PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT into our mouthguards, safeguarding oral tissues while boosting your abilities.
It's all about the bite. The way your teeth align impacts your overall posture and balance. Just before an athlete exerts maximum effort, their teeth come together in Maximum Intercuspation (MIP). An imbalanced MIP triggers a downward spiral affecting posture and performance. Even minor adjustments could mean the difference between victory and defeat.
The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) stands at the apex of the body's postural chain, and your bite directly influences its function. While various bite techniques exist (like Phonetic Bite, CR Bite, etc.), unfortunately, there's a lack of concrete research validating their efficacy.
Our approach involves crafting mouthguards using evidence-based methods, such as bite registration conducted on a "TENS-induced EMG-verified bilaterally-symmetric-isotonic-muscular-trajectory." This Neuromuscular Dentistry technique ensures a balanced posture, benefiting an athlete's performance from head to toe.
Often, post-event efforts by trainers or physiotherapists to correct an athlete's posture prove temporary. The significance of maxillo-mandibular position in maintaining posture tends to be overlooked.
02. Comparison of CPAP to sleep appliances
Understanding Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
The widely acknowledged gold standard for obstructive sleep apnea treatment remains the CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) device. This device operates by delivering air pressure via a nasal/oral mask, effectively preventing blockages caused by the tongue and other airway obstructions during sleep.
Challenges with CPAP and Alternative Solutions
While CPAP is highly effective, patient compliance presents a significant challenge due to its inconvenience for travel and the discomfort of wearing a bulky apparatus while sleeping. Moreover, it solely addresses symptoms without targeting the root cause of the problem.
Shift to Customized Intra Oral Sleep Appliances
Recently, customized intra oral sleep appliances have gained traction as CPAP alternatives. These devices offer ease of wear, compact sizes, and affordability. They work by positioning the lower jaw and tongue forward, ensuring an open airway. However, over-the-counter appliances should be avoided as they might lead to Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) due to improper bite alignment.
Combining Treatments for Enhanced Effectiveness
This doesn't imply the complete abandonment of CPAP. Instead, our approach is guided by the AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index) parameter from the sleep study. If the AHI falls below 30, a neuromuscular sleep appliance proves beneficial. For AHI levels above 45, naso-maxillary expansion might precede the use of the sleep appliance. In cases with an AHI surpassing 60, a combination of the above methods along with CPAP is recommended for optimal results.
At our practice, we offer comprehensive sleep apnea treatments tailored to your individual needs. Contact us to explore these advanced treatment options and find the ideal solution for your sleep apnea concerns.
03. Orthodontic appliances that expand the airway
Understanding Airway Expansion in Orthodontics
Orthodontic appliances play a pivotal role in augmenting airway growth, especially in children up to approximately 12 years old, when bone maturity restricts further growth. However, traditional methods like fixed braces primarily focus on moving teeth and lack the capability to expand the airway.
Innovative Appliances for Airway Expansion
Novel appliances like DNA appliances and ALF appliances have showcased the ability to expand airways in adults, a breakthrough in orthodontic practice. It's essential to comprehend these holistic devices to incorporate them effectively.
ALF (Activated Lightwire Functionals) appliances, known for their gradual, sensory-driven approach, naturally expand airways, primarily in younger individuals. In adults, ALF appliances help alleviate cranial stress and optimize cranio-maxillary tissue and bone rhythms.
Contrarily, the DNA appliance, a more intricate device, suits adult patients. Although bulkier and requiring consistent activation monitoring by the doctor/patient, it yields long-term results. Research indicates up to a 250% increase in airway volume post-DNA treatment.
Empowering Airway Expansion Without Surgery
These advanced appliances offer a non-surgical route to airway expansion for most adult patients requiring augmentation. By leveraging these devices effectively, orthodontists can enhance airway capacity without resorting to surgery.
At our practice, we specialize in these innovative techniques, aiming to optimize airway expansion and improve overall well-being. Contact us to learn more about these cutting-edge solutions and how they can benefit you.
04. Orthodontic expansion in adults
Understanding Orthodontic Expansion in Adults
While braces facilitate adult orthodontic expansion, their efficacy is constrained by the available bundle bone within the teeth sockets. Typically, even with optimal braces, posterior teeth may only achieve approximately 1.5 to 2 mm expansion per side. For individuals with a narrow upper jaw and a posteriorly positioned lower jaw, this expansion might prove insufficient.
Minimally Invasive Methods for Comprehensive Expansion
For patients requiring greater expansion beyond traditional braces, the DNA appliance emerges as an ideal minimally invasive solution. This innovative device stimulates the body's epigenetic potential, facilitating three-dimensional expansion where needed.
Enhancing Nasal Airway Volume and Maxillary Expansion
In cases necessitating significant nasal airway volume along with maxillary expansion, the MARPE (Mini-implant Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) technique, such as the MSE appliance, offers a minimally invasive alternative. Employing a piezoelectric saw, the MSE appliance can efficiently split the suture in adults, expanding the maxilla.
Combining Procedures for Enhanced Benefits
For optimal outcomes, a combined approach integrating ENT surgery and orthodontic expansion under general anesthesia proves advantageous. This comprehensive strategy not only ensures patient comfort but also addresses ENT issues like Deviated Nasal Septum (DNS) and inflamed turbinates concurrently with upper jaw expansion.
At our practice, we specialize in these advanced orthodontic techniques, aiming to provide comprehensive solutions for your orthodontic and nasal airway needs. Contact us to learn more about these innovative procedures and discover how they can benefit you.
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