Sleep apnoea is when your breathing stops and starts as you sleep. The most common type is called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). The sleep medicine team has referred you to the orthodontic department to consider a mandibular advancement device (MAD).
The device will bring your lower jaw (mandible) forwards as you sleep to open up your airway. Not all patients will be able to have this device. The orthodontic team will assess you to see if it will help you. Your device will be created from impressions taken of your mouth.
Dental health
You must have healthy teeth and gums. You must attend a dentist for regular check-ups.
Risks
Side effects or complications that you may experience include:
- dry mouth and/or excess saliva in your mouth
- tooth movement that affects your bite
- pain in the muscles of your face
- jaw joint problems or tenderness
- gum problems
- gagging
Wear
Wear your device for sleeping to help keep your airway open and improve your sleep. Do not eat or drink anything other than plain water when it is in your mouth. Make sure you brush your teeth and gums before wearing your device.
Care
Clean your device at least once a day with a separate toothbrush. Brush it with toothpaste and cold water so it does not distort. A special cleaning solution is also available from the manufacturer. You must not use denture-cleaning tablets. Rinse your device before you place it back in your mouth.
Cost
If we provide you with the device there will be no charge. Where careless loss or damage occurs, there will be a fee to replace or repair your device.
Follow up
The orthodontic team will review you 3 months after your device is fitted.
After this we’ll discharge you back to the care of your doctor and dentist. If there are any problems your practitioners can contact us. No routine dental follow up can be provided in the orthodontic department.
You must have a regular dentist and attend for routine check-ups whilst wearing your device.
Useful websites
British Lung Foundation - Obstructive sleep apnoea
British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine
Contact details
Orthodontic Department
Cumberland Infirmary
Newtown Road
Carlisle
CA2 7HY
Tel: 01228 814225
Confidentiality
‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.
For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:
Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961
Feedback
We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:
pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818
If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:
complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302