The Herbst appliance, also known as the tracheal occluder or tracheal plug, is an implanted medical device used to treat sleep apnea. According to John Hopkins Medicine, this device keeps the airway open during sleep by blocking both the upper and lower airways through which people with sleep apnea typically experience blockages during their sleep cycle, which can lead to snoring and disrupted breathing patterns throughout the night. When implanted into patients, the Herbst appliance typically stays in place forever; however, it can be removed if necessary.
What To Expect With A Herbst Device?
When looking at a Herbst device, it can be hard to discern what’s going on inside your mouth. They are made up of two parts: The first part goes in your mouth and hooks onto your molars with small hooks. The second part, called an anchor bar, goes behind your head and connects to screws that have been surgically inserted into two of your upper or lower molars. The two pieces together provide constant pressure so that you cannot move your jaw forward and clench your teeth. If you’re interested in learning more about how these devices work or want to schedule an appointment for surgery, contact us today at ! We look forward to hearing from you.
Why Use The Herbst Appliance?
The Herbst is often used for patients who have had long standing apnea or atrial fibrillation and have failed oral medications. We use The herbst device in our office for patients who need max support and can’t control their sleep apnea with CPAP alone. If you feel like you are sleep deprived or your lack of sleep impacts your life each day then it’s time to seek help from one of our Sleep physicians. Many people don’t know they have sleep apnea, but it can seriously impact health and daily function. Having polyps in your airway, sleeping on an incline, being overweight and more than 50 years old puts you at risk for developing Sleep Apnea. Don’t wait until its too late! Talk to us today about getting tested!
Do I Have To Clean The Herbst Appliance?
Some companies will ask you to clean your device regularly; others may be more lenient. You don’t have to do any extra cleaning if you don’t want to, but there are some tips that can help your treatment go smoother. The best way to keep your herbst appliance clean is by using it properly, so make sure you know how long and how often it should be worn. If you follow those instructions, there won’t be any major problems with keeping it clean. But if there are difficulties, call in your doctor right away or speak with a member of their office staff. They should give you all of their advice on what type of cleaning techniques or products might work for you—or, at least, steer you in the right direction.
Does Getting A Herbst Appliance Hurt?
The answer is no, getting a herbst appliance implanted doesn’t hurt. The procedure can be done in your doctor’s office and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Most patients find that they feel immediate relief when they wake up after surgery and you may even be able to return to work on your first day back. One of our customers said it best when she said I was feeling so much better after just one day! It was amazing! I went back to work right away which wasn’t possible with my previous pain. My only regret was that I didn’t get it sooner. Don’t let chronic back pain control your life, you deserve to have freedom from debilitating pain just like everyone else!
