Know When to Choose Professional Solutions
Patients need to know the risks and side effects that can occur when they take treatment into their own hands. When it comes to boil and bite vs. custom oral appliances, there are several reasons why custom is the better option.
The (FDA) classifies oral appliances for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as Class II medical devices, which means they require special controls. The FDA uses this classification to establish regulatory controls to ensure the safety and effectiveness of these devices.
The boil and bite technique leads to a poor fit with potential pain and long-term damage.
Over-the-counter (OTC) or On-line snore guards are made from a standard template and most use a boil and bite technique. This means that a flat piece of plastic is added to boiling water to become pliable. While still warm, the patient bites into it causing it to shape to their teeth. It may seem like it fits because it has captured a copy of the teeth. But, the more important part of a well-fitted appliance is what position the jaw is held in.
Boil and bite appliance do not allow for the jaw position to be selected in the fitting process. This leaves the jaw susceptible to the wrong position. If this happens, it can cause serious and sometimes irreversible damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Common symptoms of an ill-fitting oral appliance include:
- Jaw Pain
- Jaw Popping and Clicking
- Headaches
- Sores in the mouth
- Falling out of bed throughout the night
Go With the Recommendations Set By Accredited Groups
Both the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) specifically recommend custom appliances that are provided, monitored, and evaluated only by trained dentists in conjunction with sleep physicians. Custom oral appliances have been studied and tested for their comfort, fit, and effectiveness in the treatment of sleep apnea and snoring, while over-the-counter appliances are unproven and can lead to dangerous side effects.