If you’ve decided to seek treatment for obstructive sleep apnea using an oral appliance, you may not know that there’s more than one type. While they are all designed to perform the same function, there’s really no one-size-fits-all option for sleep apnea appliances. Instead, you and your sleep dentist should review the many types of oral appliances, discuss the benefits of each, and find the option that meets your needs. In this post, we’ll review information about one of the many available oral appliances for sleep apnea treatment – the Narval appliance.
What is the Narval Appliance?
Narval is an oral appliance used in treating snoring and sleep apnea. These small, custom made appliances were developed by ResMed, a company that specializes in the diagnosis, treatment planning, and maintenance of quality sleep and airway function. For patients, this means their appliances are backed by years of research and successful treatment, and they provide effective reduction of snoring and sleep apnea events.
How Does it Work?
The Narval appliance is small and light. So small, in fact, that some patients are concerned that it can’t possibly work for them, but it does! When put in place, the Narval appliance shifts the jaw forward, places pressure on the throat muscles, and opens the airway. Worn nightly, the Narval device stopped snoring in 9 out of 10 users and decreased apnea events 50% in 8 out of 10 users.
Who Should Consider the Narval Appliance
The Narval appliance is an effective solution for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, those who struggle with chronic snoring but do not have a sleep disorder, and in combination with CPAP to improve the efficacy of both treatments. If you have a sensitive gag reflex, the Narval appliance may be right for you. Because of the streamlined design, treatment with the Narval appliance ensures comfort while keeping the airway clear through the night. This also makes the Narval appliance a great option for younger patients who may struggle with the bulkier appliances. Patients with serious nighttime teeth grinding and clenching habits (bruxism) may not receive effective treatment using this device. For mild bruxism, the Narval device will also protect teeth from unnecessary damage, but when patients struggle with more severe bruxism, they can damage the appliance.
Meet Dr. Drummond
Skilled Lawton sleep dentist, David J. Drummond, DDS, has advanced training and experience offering custom oral appliances to effectively treat sleep apnea. Dr. Drummond can provide a number of different sleep apnea appliances, including the Narval appliance, at Stop Snoring Lawton. If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea or are concerned you may be suffering from this disorder, call our team to schedule an oral appliance consultation with our caring Lawton sleep dentist and team. We look forward to helping you get a better night’s sleep.