You may know lingual braces or clear brackets as a cosmetic procedure designed to improve teeth and jaw alignment discreetly.
But did you know that it has been linked to sleep apnoea with the potential to help improve airways.
Although intriguing, it has emerged as an unexpected player in alleviating one of the serious sleep conditions that is affecting many people.
Approximately 39 million U.S. adults have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). 936 million adults around the world are estimated to have mild to severe OSA.
In this article, we will discuss what kind of aligners you can choose, so it helps reposition the mandible forward, effectively opening the airway and reducing the obstruction during sleep.
So, let’s get started!
What Is Sleep Apnoea and Why Should You Care?
It is a sleep disorder where your breathing is repeatedly interrupted while relaxed. Known as apnoea, these interruptions barely last long, depending on the severity of the disorder.
Mild resting conditions, for example, can have interruptions of between 5 and 15 per hour, while severe cases of this condition can have 30 interruptions or more.
Because these interruptions can happen multiple times throughout the night, you barely get any rest and wake up feeling tired with the occasional headaches and other issues.
It has three main types, depending on the affected part of the body. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea happens when the throat muscles excessively relax and block the airway.
This is one of the most common forms, which affects approximately 5% of Australians.
Central Sleep Apnoea is caused by the brain’s failure to send signals to the muscles that control breathing.
It is a Syndrome or Treatment-Emergent, as it is the combination of the first two sleep disorders mentioned.
These recurring interruptions in your rest cycle can have serious consequences on your overall well-being.
Failure to reach sleep’s deep and restorative stages can lead to morning headaches, fatigue, irritability, and high blood pressure, among others.
Understanding the Link Between Sleep Apnoea and Orthodontic Issues
You may be wondering how Invisalign can help with rest disorders. First, you need to understand that there are shared factors between oral and throat anatomy.
A misaligned chewing surface, for example, can contribute to a blocked airway during rest.
Other issues like crowded or misaligned teeth, overbites, crossbites, and underbites increase the risk of this disorder.
The Role Invisalign Plays
These are better than the traditional straighteners in different ways, you can check why:
Improve or realign jaw position
A previously mentioned, incorrect skeletal alignment can contribute to a blocked airway. The path may be affected if the mandible or lower jaw is set back lower or retruded concerning the position of the maxilla or upper jaw.
The misalignment may be due to misaligned teeth, which a clear aligner can gently and gradually reposition. The aligner can be designed to help reposition the mandible forward, effectively opening the airway. Through this corrective process, rest interruptions can be minimized.
Expand the palate
If the roof of your mouth is narrow or constricted, you may have difficulty breathing while you rest. Using expanders and other orthodontic devices can help with palatal expansion.
These can be customized to widen the palate and expand the oral cavity, allowing you to breathe easier and more comfortably.
Reduce, if not eliminate, snoring
In some cases, clear aligners have been known to minimize snoring, which is one of apnea common symptoms.
This is directly linked to the oral misalignment issues that it treats. With these problems fixed, you and your partner can rest better.
Better sleep quality
For people with this condition, achieving quality rest means snoring is kept to a minimum or eliminated and better airflow while sleeping.
If any of these concerns are directly related to the jaw and palate, continued use of clear orthodontic brackets will gradually eliminate the symptoms.
As the oral treatment progresses, your breathing patterns will also improve.
Enhance comfort
Compared to braces and other traditional orthodontic treatments, it doesn’t cause mouth and throat discomfort or irritation. Its smooth and removable features make it more comfortable to use during rest or for longer periods.
This also means cleaning the bracelets is easier, allowing you to maintain optimum oral hygiene. If you use a CPAP machine, the inserts won’t get in the way, and you can use them during the day instead. It is also more discreet, something you might prefer if you’d rather not tell the world that you are receiving any dental treatment.
Important to Note
This offers secondary benefits for people with this disorder, but it’s not a primary treatment.
You should consult a medical professional and seek a proper diagnosis if you’re experiencing any symptoms, such as gasping for air while you sleep or excessive fatigue during the day.
Clear aligners have a potential yet intriguing role in helping ease the symptoms of it. You can enjoy their maximum benefits if you consult an orthodontist.
It should not be taken lightly. Depending on the cause and severity of the disorder, an invisible brace treatment may just be what you need to rest well at night and maintain oral health.
Schedule a consultation with one of the caring dentists at Dental Off Chapel (Two Two Six Digital) to know more about clear aligners and other dental services.
