The Klearway oral appliance is a Canadian invention. It is one of the most expensive snore guard out there. One of the reason why it is so expensive is because of the necessity to visit the dentist multiple times to adjust your Klearway snore guard. There are a few benefits offered by Klearyway.
- Able to hold the teeth together and not fall off the mouth despite complex jaw movements that occur during sleep. You can shift your jaw from left to right, and Klearway will stay in your mouth. Heck, you can even drink water without taking off your Klearway Appliance!
- Fully-adjustable snore guard. This means you can slowly protrude your lower jaw (Mandible) instead of stretching it to the max in one go. There are 44 levels of the lower jaw advancement, each advancing 0.25 mm with a total of 11 mm.
- Designed not to encroach the tongue space.
- Made from thermo-active acrylic, so it is flexible enough to fit and customize according to your jaw and teeth. You just need to heat it up in a boiling water before you insert it into your mouth. (This is normally done by a dentist so do not do it yourself)
- Bruxers can use the Klearway without any problem because Klearway allows jaw movements and can withstand the force of teeth grinding.
OK, with so many benefits you might be asking yourself if this is too good to be true. Well, it seems like the Klearway is the most extensively research oral appliance available today. This is because the Canadian government sponsored a 4 year clinical trial conducted by National Centres of Excellence Program.
The clinical trial shows that the severity of the OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which is a form of severe snoring where you stop breathing) is reduced to a clinically acceptable level of 80% in moderate OSA patient. This is measured using the Polysomnogram Respiratory Disturbance Indices. Severe OSA patient has their level reduced to 61%.
If this is not enough, Fiberoptic Videoendoscopy (miniature video) is inserted into the airway documented that the airway is increased significantly to the level of velopharynx. (the part connecting the throat and your mouth’s airway)
The conclusion is the Klearway oral appliance are one of the best and most flexible snore guards out there. If you have the budget, you should get a Klearway appliance. It is very comfortable and durable, so you are getting your every penny worth.
I had mild sleep apnea which was not helped with the CPAP machine and I immediately noticed a difference using the Klearway on the first night.
One caution which prompted me to post, after a few years of nightly use, I’ve found that my teeth no longer align properly and it takes a great effort to force my jaws together into a regular bite. After a few months of not wearing my Klearway, it is easier to bite down somewhat but it still takes some effort and there is still pressure on my throat muscles. This is appearing to cause me to experience a constant sore throat. I’ve gone to the doctor three times now for different antibiotics with no cure. I’m going to book an appt with the Orthodontist to see what he recommends.
This might be something for those who are not able to get to sleep with the CPAP machine strapped to their faces (anyone remember Alien?), or those who are not helped by the CPAP. My guess as to why I am not helped with CPAP (and I’m curious if there is anyone else out there that has experienced this) is that I do not have any of the normal causes of apnea – not overweight etc.. But, when I was in my teens I had to wear one of those head braces (along with railroad track braces) to prevent my top jaw from outgrowing my lower jaw.
I think that this has subtly changed my airway. And the Klearway helped it.
I purchased a TAP appliance. It was very expensive-USD1000+. However, it is marvelous. Comfortable, clean, and it works. Just ask my wife, who now ALSO sleeps soundly.