SomnoGuard is a MAD. It stands for mandibular advancement device. It is a specialised ‘mouth-guard’ which you wear in your mouth overnight.

MAD works by pushing the lower jaw forward a short distance (a few millimetres) to open up the upper airway passage.

If the cause of your snoring is a narrow airway, then the MAD will probably stop your snoring and allow you to breathe more easily.

There are some reasons why some MAD may not be suitable for you:

• Jaw joint problems
• Denture wearer
• Grinding teeth, during the day or night
• Dental problems – discuss with your dentist
• Epilepsy

Most people take a couple of weeks to get used to a new MAD.

Rarely, problems with some MAD can include:

• Loosened or broken teeth
• Dislodged dental restorations
• Mouth or gum sores
• Jaw pain
• Malalignment / malocclusion of teeth

Check the device regularly for signs of wear and do not use it if there are any cracks or loose parts.

To care for your MAD:

• Clean the device with a soft toothbrush and a liquid denture cleaner or normal toothpaste and water.
• Rinse and dry naturally.
• Wrap in kitchen roll paper.
• Store out of direct sunlight and excessive heat.
• Periodically disinfect with denture disinfectants.

 

The clinical efficacy of SomnoGuard is well proven.
SomnoGuard reduces snoring and RDI (Respiratory Disturbance Index) by 50% to 80% under polysomnographic control.

For SomnoGuard AP, the success rate is higher in reducing snoring and sleep apnea because it is a two piece device. The device can be adjusted accurately to fit the particular requirement of the user. As his need changes over time, he can meet it easily by adjusting the screw on the SomnoGuard AP accordingly . In the case of SomnoGuard 2.0, it is a one piece device. There is no mechanism to advance the lower jaw more than its default position. It assumes that all jaws are made equal. Therefore, one can understand why its success rate is lower than that for SomnoGuard AP.

Observed side effects are brief morning toothache, temporary jaw pain as well as increased salivation during the first few nights. A few patients also reported nausea.

The acclimatizing time is between 0 and 21 days but most only 4 days on average.

SomnoGuard is commonly very well tolerated. Side effects are minor, temporary and resolved within three to four weeks when the patients get accustomed to the appliance. A similar observation had been reported in all clinical trials performed so far.