How are the sleep devices different from snore guards?
The real question here is what is a snore guard and how do we know it is just snoring. Has the patient had a sleep study? I know there are several over-the-counter “boil and bite” products targeted at snoring prevention. In addition, I know there are orthodontists who claim to make “snore appliances,” but do not treat obstructive sleep apnea. Well, I have news for them: if you are treating snoring you are likely treating OSA without a diagnosis! Snoring and OSA are caused from the same anatomic problem: a collapsing airway. Patients who snore also have an increased risk of having OSA and, furthermore, snoring is often the first sign of OSA. Before making any type of device for snoring, I feel the patient should be evaluated for OSA with a sleep study. The majority of time we will find out it is more than snoring. Once the diagnosis is complete, then proper treatment decisions can be made. It really upsets me to see that some individuals and orthodontists are treating this very serious
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