THE ADVANTAGES OF THE SOMNODENT MAS ™

• Permits full range of mouth opening and closing.
• Minimises disruptions to speech.
• Provides anterior (front) and posterior (back) contact which helps provide stability for the temporomandibular joints.
• Minimises impingement on tongue space.
• Is titratable; the position of the lower jaw can be constantly re-evaluated and the appliance easily  adjusted if necessary.
• Can be fabricated for most situations, even patients missing all of their teeth.

    
Dental sleep medicine concentrates on reducing respiratory distress (your breathing problems at night) by determining the location and degree of airway obstruction and placing your airway in optimal breathing position to restore its patency.

At Align Dental we use the latest in diagnostic technology known as Eccovision to map the airway. The Eccovision acoustic diagnostic imaging system uses acoustic reflection technology (sound waves) to accurately map out the size, structure and collapsibility of the oral and nasal airway. The Eccovision has two components.

1. Rhinometer - This allows for quick and easy measurements of nasal patency. Sound waves are sent up the nasal passageway and they are reflected back out in such a way that the Eccovision acoustic rhinometer can accurately map out the topography of the nasal airway. This allows us to help identify the location and severity of the obstruction in the nasal airway. The test is completely non-invasive and takes 30 seconds to complete. If a tissue based enlargement or obstruction is discovered a referral to an ear, nose and throat specialist will be required.
   
   
2. Pharyngometer – This allows for quick and easy measurements of the oral and pharyngeal airway. The pharyngometer graphically displays the relationship between the cross-sectional area  of the airway and distance down the airway in centimetres. Studies have shown a clear relationship between the existence of OSA and a narrow, collapsible airway. Sound waves are projected down the airway and reflected back out in such a way that the pharyngometer software can analyse and quantify changes in the airway cross-sectional area. The test is minimally invasive and takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.

At Align Dental the pharyngometer assists us  locate the protrusive (forwards) and vertical (open) position of the mandible (lower jaw) for an oral appliance. Assessment with the Eccovision helps determine if an oral appliance is the appropriate treatment choice and how effective it is likely to be. In rare cases advancing the jaw forward can actually worsen the obstructive sleep apnea – the graphical measurements of the Eccovision assist in this assessment. The use of Eccovision is a very helpful in achieving successful oral appliance therapy.