Madison Family Dental

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Mouthguards and Appliances

Custom-made mouthguards and dental appliances are more comfortable and superior in protection and function than over-the-counter products you fit yourself at home. We offer a number of mouthguards and dental appliances, which require two appointments. During the initial appointment, impressions are taken of your teeth. These impressions are used to fabricate your custom mouthguard or appliance, which is usually available in one to two weeks (follow-up appointment).

 

Athletic Mouthguard

If you or a family member is involved in sports, we can make a custom-fit athletic mouthguard. Athletic mouthguards should be worn for any sporting activity.

Rigid-Acrylic Mouthguard/Occlusal Guard

Clenching or grinding in your sleep can cause significant wear and even cracks in your teeth. While a habit like this can be broken with behavior modification during the day, the feedback you typically process during the day is turned off at night. Clenching and grinding may cause significant damage to your teeth. Someone who clenches or grinds at night may wake up with headaches or jaw soreness in the morning.

If you are clenching or grinding in your sleep, an occlusal guard may be right for you. An occlusal guard gives your teeth an even surface to glide over while you sleep. With time, it may also help jaw muscles to relax. This type of mouthguard is best at preventing wear and cracks due to clenching or grinding.

 

Under Armour Mouthguard

Madison Family Dental is pleased to partner with Under Armour to provide athletes with the New UnderArmour performance mouthwear.

Powered by ArmourBite™, Bite Tech’s patented technology, Under Armour Performance Mouthwear is an innovative new line of custom mouthpieces and mouthguards designed to improve athletic performance. UA Performance Mouthwear can help any athlete improve strength, endurance and reaction time, reduce athletic stress, and with the mouthguard, reduce impact from blows to the jaw.When athletes exert themselves, clenching the jaw is a natural reaction. Teeth-clenching, however, triggers the excess production and release of hormones, such as cortisol, that produce stress, fatigue and distraction, hindering an athlete’s performance. ArmourBite Technology in UA Performance Mouthwear prevents an athlete’s teeth from clenching, and pivots your jaw forward to relieve pressure on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and prevents the excessive production of performance-sapping hormones. The body can now unleash its full potential. Hundreds of professional, Olympic and collegiate athletes have been using Bite Tech’s performance mouthwear products for years. Bite Tech has conducted years of independent studies at some of the nation’s top universities and research centers, including The Citadel and IMG Academies, which have proven the science behind the ArmourBite™ Technology found in UA Performance Mouthwear. Learn more at bitetech.com.

For more information, download this customer brochure.

 

Mouthguard FAQ

How does Under Armour Performance Mouthwear differ from mouthguards?

Mouthguards provide protection. UA Performance Mouthwear, which includes mouthpieces and mouthguards powered by ArmourBite TM Technology, does more: It enhances performance. It is not only backed by some of the biggest names in pro sports, it's also recommended by dentists, pro trainers, strength coaches and wellness experts.

How do I choose the right Under Armour product?

The UA Performance Mouthguard offers superior protection in addition to its performance benefits and should be used in contact sports such as football, hockey and lacrosse. The UA Performance Mouthpieces are appropriate for non-contact and limited-contact sports such as running, soccer, baseball, golf, tennis and training.










How long does it take to get a custom piece of Under Armour Performance Mouthwear?

Once you have decided which model is right for you, getting your own Under Armour Performance Mouthwear TM is a simple 3-step process. First, your dentist will take your bite impressions. Next, the impressions are shipped to the lab where your custom make mouthguard is fabricated Third, the completed mouthwear is shipped back to your dentist for a final fitting usually within about 10 days.

What can Under Armour Performance Mouthwear do?

Increases Strength
With improved airflow and less stress from clenching, UA Performance Mouthwear has been proven to increase strength by an average of 17% with the UA Performance Mouthpiece and 12% with the UA Performance Mouthguard.

Increases Endurance
UA Performance Mouthwear enlarges airway openings, resulting in 25% less lactic acid build-up after 30 minutes of intense exercise.

Speeds Up Reaction Time
Athletes may respond faster when wearing UA Performance Mouthwear. Clinical trials show an improvement in responding to auditory cues and potential improvement in response to visual cues.

Reduces Athletic Stress
Excess cortisol causes stress, fatigue and distraction. UA Performance Mouthwear decreases cortisol production, which means you feel & play better.

Reduces Impact
When the jaw suffers an impact, energy can be transmitted to the head, which can cause concussion. UA Performance Mouthguards have been shown to reduce the G-Force impact of blows to the jaw by up to 20%

How should I care for a mouthguard?

Clean your mouthguard by washing it with soap and warm (not hot) water. Do not bend your mouthguard, and don’t handle or wear someone else’s mouthguard.

How should I store my mouthguard?

Before storing, soak your mouthguard in mouthwash. Keep your mouthguard in a well-ventilated plastic storage box when not in use. Make sure the box has several holes so the mouthguard will dry.

Is heat bad for mouthguards?

Yes, so don’t leave it in direct sunlight or in a closed automobile.

 

NTI Appliance

The NTI is a small appliance worn on either the top or bottom front teeth and prevents teeth clenching, grinding, jaw pain and headaches. You and your dentist should decide if an NTI would be best for you.

Silent Nite Snore Guard

The Silent Nite attempts to prevent snoring by opening the airway and make breathing easier. It works by positioning the lower jaw into a more forward position. The Silent Nite is custom made from casts of your teeth and will therefore fit much better than an over-the-counter anti-snoring device. If snoring is keeping you up at night, this type of appliance may be beneficial.


Sleep Apnea TAP Appliance

Sleep apnea oral appliances are custom - fitted by your MFDA dentist to help the patient sleep soundly and minimize the effects of sleep apnea such as snoring.  These FDA - approved devices essentially treat obstructive sleep apnea by preventing airway obstruction and allowing the patient to breathe easily and continuously.  Worn in the mouth like an orthodontic appliance during sleep, oral appliances keep the soft tissues from collapsing and interrupting normal breathing patterns.  What do the appliances look like? One example of an oral appliance is the TAP.  The TAP holds the lower jaw in a forward position so that is does not shift nor fall open during the night.  This prevents the airway from collapsing. Studies have shown the oral appliance is an effective first-line therapy for mild to moderate sleep apnea. Read the full study.

 

Sleep Apnea FAQ

What is sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway completely collapses blocking airflow into the lungs.The harder one tries to breath, the tighter the airway seals. This airway obstruction persists until the brain partially awakens the person. Unconsciously, he will close the jaw returning the tongue and throat to a normal position.

The sleep apnea cycle - falling asleep, jaw relaxing, airway collapsing, unconsciously awakening with a gasp, falling back asleep - can repeat itself one time per minute in more severe cases. With a blocked air passage, one cannot receive enough oxygen. Both the awakenings and oxygen deprivation can then trigger other health problems.

What is snoring?

When the jaw opens and the tongue falls into the back of the throat, the airway narrows forcing air through the smaller opening. This creates vibrations in the throat known as snoring.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

* Snoring with pauses in breathing (apnea)
* Excessive daytime drowsiness
* Gasping or choking during sleep
* Restless sleep
* Problem with mental function
* Poor judgment/can't focus
* Memory loss
* Quick to anger
* High blood pressure
* Nighttime chest pain
* Depression
* Problem with excess weight
* Large neck (>17" around in men, >16" around in women)
* Airway crowding
* Morning headaches
* Reduced libido
* Frequent trips to the bathroom at night

If I snore, do I have sleep apnea?

No. Not all people who snore have sleep apnea and not all sleep apnea sufferers snore.

What are the dangers of sleep apnea?

Some of the dangers of sleep apnea are chronic sleepiness, strokes, heart attacks, heartburn, morning headaches, depression, high blood pressure and impotence.

What is your snore score?

Your answers to this quiz will help you decide whether you may suffer from sleep apnea:

* Are you a loud and/or regular snorer?
* Have you ever been observed to gasp or stop breathing during sleep?
* Do you feel tired or groggy upon awakening, or do you awaken with a headache?
* Are you often tired or fatigued during the wake time hours?
* Do you fall asleep sitting, reading, watching TV or driving?
* Do you often have problems with memory or concentration?

If you have one or more of these symptoms you are at higher risk for having obstructive sleep apnea.

Source: American Sleep Apnea Association

How to stop snoring?

Even if you don’t have sleep apnea, there are plenty of reasons to tackle a snoring problem. For one, it can get in the way of your bed partner’s rest—and a sleep-deprived partner is not a happy one! It can also affect your own sleep quality and health. The good news? There are plenty of tips and treatments that can help. 

Read: How to Stop Snoring: Cures, Remedies, and Tips for You and Your Partner

Is this appliance covered by insurance?

If you carry Physicians Plus medical insurance, yes this appliance is covered. [We are the exclusive provider for Physicians Plus.] If it's not covered by medical insurance, your FLEX Spending account might cover it. To find out more, contact your insurance company directly.
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5709 Odana Road  Madison, WI 53719  PHONE: 608-274-5970