Custom Snore Guards in Sandpoint, ID
Does your bed partner complain about your snoring?
A snore guard may help!
What is a Snore Guard?
What is an Oral Appliance for Snoring?
A snore guard is a simple, custom-fabricated oral appliance worn at night. It is designed to stop or significantly reduce simple, non-apneic snoring—the rattling noise air makes as it travels through a tight, partially blocked airway.
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It Works To Gently Hold Your Jaw Position
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Often our lower jaw falls open and back when we are relaxed during sleep. Our tongue falls back too and all of this can be a reason for our airway to be partially blocked and causes us to snore. Our custom-made snoring appliance works by gently holding your lower jaw stable or slightly forward. This small movement opens the airway in the back of your throat, preventing the base of your tongue and soft tissues from collapsing and vibrating. This addresses the cause of snoring and provides a highly effective snoring solution.
Types of Snore Guards
While you can purchase over-the-counter anti-snoring devices, the best result comes from a custom device. We provide a professionally made custom snore guard in Sandpoint that is precisely molded to your unique bite. Our custom snoring mouthguard offers superior comfort and performance compared to generic, boil-and-bite options.
Who Should Consider Using A Snore Guard — & Who Shouldn’t
(Snoring vs. Sleep Apnea)
A snore guard is ideal for someone who is concerned about resolving their disruptive snoring. However, snoring is a sign that you may have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which is linked to other medical conditions like heart disease. A snore guard is not a medical device for treating sleep apnea. If you have other symptoms of OSA like daytime fatigue, morning headaches or making gasping sounds when sleeping, you should be evaluated by a sleep physician.
Benefits, Limitations & Risks​
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Benefits: Immediate relief from snoring, better sleep for you and your partner, and a non-invasive, portable snoring remedy.
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Limitations: It only treats simple snoring; it is not a treatment for diagnosed sleep apnea.
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Risks: Minimal, mostly related to temporary soreness in the jaw or teeth if not custom-fitted properly. Dr. MacNeill will work to ensure a precise fit to minimize risks and optimize jaw comfort.
Getting Fitted For Custom Snore Guard
The process for receiving a dental snore guard in Sandpoint involves an initial consultation with Dr. MacNeill to confirm the device is appropriate for you, followed by taking precise dental impressions. The custom device is then created specifically to fit your mouth by our dental laboratory.
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When to See a Dentist or Sleep Specialist (if Snoring is Severe or Sleep Apnea Is Suspected)
If you are only concerned with snoring and are not interested in a sleep study, our custom snore guard is an excellent stop snoring device. However, if you suspect you may have sleep apnea, we recommend a consultation with a sleep physician and can help facilitate that for you. If a sleep study confirms a sleep apnea diagnosis, we can provide a prescribed sleep apnea appliance, which may be covered by your medical insurance.
How Can I Get Started With An Oral Appliance?
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Call or stop by our Sandpoint office to schedule a consultation where you and Dr. MacNeill will discuss whether a snore guard is a good treatment option for you.
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Our team will take dental impressions of your teeth and have our dental laboratory make the oral appliance custom fit for you
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Dr. MacNeill will see you for any needed follow up appointments to make sure the snore guard is comfortable and effectively reduces your snoring.
Sandpoint Snore Guard FAQs
1. What is the main difference between a Snore Guard and a Sleep Apnea appliance?
A Snore Guard is a simple appliance used to alleviate non-apneic snoring. This device is not covered by any insurance. A Sleep Apnea oral appliance is a prescribed medical device specifically engineered to treat a confirmed diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and therefore may be covered by your medical insurance.
2. How much does a custom Snore Guard cost at your office?
At MacNeill Family Dental, we believe in providing customized solutions that work for your specific needs. We encourage you to schedule a visit to our Sandpoint dental office to chat with the doctor. After a brief exam and a discussion about your goals, we can provide you with an accurate quote and discuss the best options for improving your sleep.
3. Will my dental or medical insurance cover the cost of a Snore Guard?
No. The snoring treatment provided by a snore guard is considered an elective procedure for simple snoring and is not covered by dental or medical insurance.
4. Why is a custom device better than a generic over-the-counter anti-snoring mouthpiece?
Over-the-counter snoring mouthpieces can be bulky, uncomfortable, and ineffective. A custom device like our anti-snoring mouthpiece is precisely molded to your mouth for optimal comfort and maximum effectiveness in holding the jaw forward. Dr. MacNeill works with you to make sure the appliance is comfortable and effective.
5. How do I know if I need a Snore Guard or a Sleep Apnea appliance?
If your only symptom is snoring, a snore guard may be enough. If you have snoring plus daytime fatigue, morning headaches, or gasping, you may have sleep apnea and need a sleep study and a prescribed appliance.
6. I already use a CPAP. Can I use a Snore Guard instead?
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you should talk to your physician before switching treatments or call us and we can help facilitate a prescription from your doctor. A custom-fit oral appliance for sleep apnea (which requires a prescription) is often used as a more comfortable snoring device instead of CPAP, but a simple snore guard is only for snoring.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. MacNeill to learn more about snore guard treatment in Sandpoint!