SmartGuard Anti Snore Device. New Customizable Snore Reducing Mouthpiece – Reduce Snoring Aid for Men and Women – Most Comfortable and Adjustable Oral Appliance - Holds Jaw Forward to Open Airway

I first tried a more expensive ($120) adjustable mandibular advancement device (MAD), one not sold on Amazon. As soon as I put it into my mouth, it became clear that there would be severe problems with my use of it. Thus I searched Amazon for a device that addressed those problems. I found the SmartGuard and I have used it for just over a month. I am extremely happy with it and I expect to gladly replace it several times a year. I hope that it remains available! I offer these comments in the hope that they will help someone else choose an effective MAD for themselves. In my opinion, the SmartGuard has a unique set of features that address many of the problems with other MADs. First, it is assembled by the user from two separate pieces, a top tray and a bottom tray. The retainers for the upper and lower teeth are thus molded to your teeth separately, so that each can fit the teeth more precisely. This system actually works, especially for those of us with an overbite. I find that the resulting fit to my teeth is very secure. On the other hand, devices which require the upper and lower to be molded at the same time require you to align your teeth vertically during the molding process. For those of us with an overbite, this means you are molding while attempting to hold your jaw in a very unnatural position, making it difficult to get a good mold. Additionally, because there are two separate pieces, the whole assembly can be kept relatively small. In other words, it does not fill your mouth, and that fact allows you to keep your mouth closed while sleeping. Yet you can also open your mouth when needed. These were important criteria in my search. The separation of the upper and lower trays also allows the adjustment of the size of the arch of the upper tray to better fit your teeth. This was not one of my criteria, but it seems like it could help some people. Secondly, it is adjustable for the relative position of the lower jaw with respect to the upper teeth. In the SmartGuard, this adjustment was designed while keeping people with overbite in mind -- that is, the device can be set up with the lower piece not as far forward as the upper piece. This was the most important criterion for my particular search, as I do have an overbite, and where the furthest back position of the first device I tried forced my jaw into a very uncomfortable, too far forward, position. There are some things to be aware of about the SmartGuard: Because the upper and lower trays are molded to your teeth separately, it is important to pay attention to the alignment of each tray to your teeth. The trays each have an alignment notch that is meant to be centered on the middle of your teeth during molding. I suspect that some of the people who have found this device to be uncomfortable have not correctly aligned the trays with their teeth during molding. I know that happened to me the first time I molded it. If the alignment between upper and lower trays is not correct, the device cannot be expected to work properly. It is important to make sure that the soft parts of the upper and lower trays do not contact each other during the molding process. If they do, they will stick together. This is not mentioned in the instructions. While it is easy to assemble the device, it tends to be difficult to disassemble it to change the length of the bars. The instructions advise removing the bars from the lower tray first, and I have found that to be good advice. Update after nearly one year of use: The first unit that I used eventually failed by the soft portion of one of the trays separating from the hard portion. I had already prepared a second unit, and the transition to the second unit was problem free. However, when I prepared a third unit, I ran into a problem -- it did not fit well at all. I then prepared a fourth unit, and that one fit better than the third one, but it was not as comfortable as the first two. I closely examined all of the last three units for physical differences that could explain the comfort results. I did not find anything other than the fact that the fitting process leads to different results on different attempts (at least for me). In fact, I was able to increase the comfort level of the third unit a lot by repeating the fitting process on it. It seems clear to me that the amount of physical jaw advancement will generally differ between units that are assembled with the same numbered adjustment bars; depending on how the fitting process goes. I may get better at getting repeatable fitting results as time goes on, but as it is, I think I am getting about the same advancement with setting 3 on the fourth unit as I am with setting 4 on the second unit. This matters to me because this device is extremely effective at reducing the specific type of sleep apnea that I have, given the appropriate level of jaw advancement, as shown by multiple home sleep studies. I did also find that the manufacturer had increased the thickness of the adjustment bars for the later units -- this was not obvious by eye, but was easily discovered when I tried to interchange the adjustment bars between units.

Second attempt to find an in-mouth solution to my snoring, since CPAP doesn’t work for me. The tab connectors appealed, since it cuts down on bulk and lets you move your jaw. In theory at least. But this isn’t the one for me. First, molding uses an attachment to size for mouth arch. But it doesn’t secure tightly enough, and dropped off once placed in boiling water. Second, good luck finding which is the upper or lower unit. The info is molded into the plastic and it takes a keen eye and the right light to find it. Similar problem with the various straps. Assuming you mold it and attach the offset straps, you may find the result fragile. As in “comes apart easily.” As in, never EVER yawn with the thing in your mouth. Not only with it pop out, but the straps may come undone, too. Didn’t even make it to an overnight test. Feared swallowing a strap. This isn’t my solution, but maybe it’s yours? My search continues. Update. The vendor kindly agreed to refund my purchase price. While I cannot change my rating (which is based on my experience, which might be different from yours), the attention to customer service is superb. Well done!

I didn't give this a 5 star review really only because of one issue I am having. Let me provide the good first: It works. It has adjustable jaw shift inserts so you can customize its degree of jaw correction. And the part I really liked is I can open my mouth to cough for example without taking the device out. so if you can find your sweet spot without protruding your jaw too much, the "discomfort" factor is minor. For me its more like a very mild jaw fatigue, but not pain. No snoring at all and I used the "3" correction insert. Molds well to the teeth and I have found it stays in place, especially if I can keep my mouth shut. I'm not to the point yet that I have adjusted to it 100%, I have had it only a few days, but it does work and I beleive I will get there. My biggest negative and it is what is effecting my sleep is my mouth dries out because to the point that my lips stay closed as I relax. The device is not large but its large enough in my mouth that it does not allow me to close my mouth easily and for it to stay closed. This is more of an irritant than anything else. Not a huge deal really from a sleep perspective but my mouth gets so dry.......it wakes me up. If it wasn't for this, I'd give it 5 stars, as I was honestly pleasantly surprised how comfortable it is and how effective it is. I had a professional appliance like this 15 years ago, this is far, far more comfortable and effective as I couldn't keep that other one in..... If I could just solve the issue of how to keep my lips shut....

I first used a MAS eleven years ago when my obstructive sleep apnoea was confirmed. I stopped using it because it failed to control my OSA, and the splint prevented me from side sleeping (which had been my lifelong treatment). I am now using CPAP but bilateral rotator cuff tears have made side sleeping difficult and I tend to roll out of the lateral position - obstruct and be wakened by the full face mask leaking. This MAS was easy to mould, the combined thermoplastic keeps it shape. The side bars that link the two splints are not too uncomfortable for side sleeping and have not produced any ulceration (but I do use a special pillow with a hollowed area for my mandible). Using the splint has reduced the frequency of being woken due to obstruction, but not eliminated the problem. My only concern is that the splint only covers the first molar, and while it may not need to be lengthened for my remaining two, covering the second molar for everyone would provide a better fit. I have been using the splint now for two months with 3mm of prognathism.

It does not work. It did not stop me from snoring and it left with me such pain in my jaw joints after taking it out that I had to take pain killers every day. I thought that the pain would stop eventually but after two weeks I was taking pain killers three times a day and could not yawn, sneeze or eat without acute pain. I used it on the first setting and it was so uncomfortable that I never tried any of the other settings. After two weeks I stopped using it altogether.

Not easy to use and not a comfortable feeling

Useles item. Its cannot hold the teeth? Easy out your teeth from position?

The reason I originally bought this product was that it is meant to move with your jaw. I am happy to report that it does indeed do this. I had to redo the impression of my teeth as you need to have a reasonable suction for the upper and lower plates to stay in place, once they do the hinge works great to allow you to move your jaw up and down while keeping it pushed forward to provide the required space to stop the rattle of the back of your throat that causes snoring. Other anti-snoring devices try to lock your jaw into position using the suction of a close-fitting impression of your teeth. This force isn't strong enough to keep the jaw in place as it will naturally move back and down out of the device. It's not possible to clench your teeth and sleep at the same time, I'd always end up partially waking up and biting on the device to put my jaw back into the correct position knowing it'd probably just slip out of position once I'm back asleep. I also tried those head straps to keep my jaw in place, but they can only force the jaw upward and back, not upward and forward. So when you slip out of the device from the backward force it keeps your jaw there and lets the snoring commence. I did have some success with a neck brace which would stop my jaw from opening wide enough to be able to slip out of the device, so that's one to try if you haven't already. Another reason I wanted to get this product was that it looked like you'd be able to move your tongue and not have movement restricted by the device and this is happily the case. Every other anti-snoring device I've tried restricts the movement of your tongue, either it is forever pressed up against the back of the device where it can't help but investigate and block the small breathing hole or its one of those devices that try to hold the tongue in place with suction and also stop you from being able to breathe out of your mouth (the tongue is a strong and slippery beast and can easily escape such devices). The only drawbacks I have found with this device are (for me at least) I find that the sides of my mouth can get stuck behind the hinges which is a weird experience but not really uncomfortable. Also, it is a little on the expensive side, this may change in future when they sell more due to it being a superior product. Finally, I wouldn't mind some slightly longer rods to push my jaw further forward, I've been using anti-snoring devices for a long time and the biggest rod for the hinge (which comes in various sizes) wasn't quite long enough to completely get rid of my throat rattle. I highly recommend this product.