Palatal Brace

What is a cleft palate?

A palatal brace is a device that can be used during sleep to prevent snoring and sleep apnea. Such a snoring brace has an omega shape and fits the palate. It prevents the soft palate from vibrating and is designed to eliminate snoring sounds.

Where is the palatal brace inserted?

The main reasons for wearing braces are snoring and sleep apnea. Snoring is an unpleasant noise that occurs in the upper airways of sleeping people. It causes vibrating, fluttering movements of the palate and uvula.

With sleep apnoea, the affected person suffers from repeated breathing interruptions during sleep. Snoring and sleep apnea are often linked. Palatal braces are intended to help reduce these factors and make sleep more bearable for the person affected and, if necessary, his or her partner.

In addition to braces, there are numerous therapy options that can be used for snoring. Snoring describes a vibrating, fluttering noise in a sleeping person. It is caused by corresponding movements of the palate and uvula, occasionally also by the base of the tongue and throat or nasal breathing obstruction.

Snorers suffer from narrowness in the upper airways during sleep. There are factors that can promote or worsen snoring. These include:

  • Sleeping in supine position
  • Alcohol
  • Smoking
  • Overweight
  • Pregnancy
  • Mouth breathing
  • Impaired nasal breathing (e.g. due to acute sinusitis, colds or allergic reactions).

Sleep apnea is considered a serious consequence of long-term snoring.

The term sleep apnoea refers to repeated and brief breathing interruptions during sleep. The cause is a complete collapse of the throat or the soft part of the neck. A clear manifestation of these complaints is called obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Sleep apnoea is a serious disturbance of sleep. The quality of sleep is impaired and those affected are often not rested and tired in the morning.