MRA or snoring brace
What is sleep apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a common medical condition that can affect your sleep, health and quality of life. It is a disorder in which one repeatedly stops breathing while sleeping.
Obstructive sleep apnoea
In snoring people with apnoea, due to relaxation of the tongue and jaw muscles during sleep, the pharynx becomes so narrow that a closure of the airway occurs. This is called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
The risks of OSA
It is important to treat OSA. If left untreated, in addition to daytime fatigue, you may suffer from headaches and loss of concentration and memory.
The lack of oxygen at night puts you at risk of multiple health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.
If you snore, notice (or your partner) that you suffer from pauses in breathing during sleep and are often not well rested in the morning, get tested for sleep apnoea.
The MRA
The MRA can be a solution for obstructive sleep apnoea. MRA stands for mandibular repositioning device. The MRA is a brace that holds the lower jaw slightly forward. It widens the airway, making breathing easier. This reduces the number of breath stops and snoring.
The MRA is worn on the molars of the upper and lower jaw and is adjustable.
There are different types and brands of MRAs available.
What does it cost?
With a diagnosis of OSAS (AHI >5) and fatigue complaints, you are eligible for reimbursement under the basic health insurance. You will receive a diagnosis from your sleep specialist after taking a sleep test. Reimbursement of the MRA requires authorisation from your insurance company. In most cases, you do not need to apply for this authorisation yourself. We work together with Somnomed and Vivisol. We have contracts with all insurers.
What is the next step?
If you have received a referral letter from the sleep specialist (pulmonologist, ENT doctor or neurologist) for the MRA, you can make an appointment with Marieke van der Maarel, dental sleep medicine NVTS.
You will receive two questionnaires and an information letter via email prior to the first appointment. You should complete these questionnaires at home and bring them with you to the first appointment. Also, always bring the referral letter from the sleep specialist.
Note:
If you still have an appointment with your own dentist for extensive treatment, you can only make an appointment for an initial consultation.
During the first visit, we check whether your teeth are suitable for the MRA. A jaw overview radiograph (OPT) will be taken. You will be explained how the MRA works and side effects, reimbursement and any co-payment.
Note:
If your own dentist or the oral surgeon has recently made an OPT on you, have it sent to our practice via care email.
During a second appointment, the MRA is fitted. After about 4 weeks, the MRA is ready and the MRA is fitted. You will be explained about its use, maintenance and a check-up appointment.
The appointment for fitting the MRA will be AFTER completion of treatment at your dentist's office.
This is how we approach it
- You have a referral letter
- Make an appointment
- Complete questionnaire and read information.
- If an X-ray has already been taken, have it forwarded to us.
- First appointment:
- Referral letter along
- Bring completed questionnaire
- You have read the information
- We determine if your teeth are suitable. Yes/no
- Are other extended treatments coming up? Yes/no
- You get more explanation and info
- Second appointment:
- Measuring MRA
- About 4 weeks of waiting for it to be ready.
- Third appointment
- Passes
