Frequently Asked Questions
During the Sleep Light programme we give you a nighttime sleep improving device. This device is so precise that it can be delivered to you by post, it is not necessary to hand it over in the surgery. Afterwards a follow-up examination is only needed if it has to be adjusted in some way or, in the case of a more severe sleeping disorder, it has to be measured with an at home sleep examination how much our device has improved our sleeping values. Otherwise a follow-up examination is recommended every six months.
The Sleep Full package contains more therapeutic elements. There are weeks during the programme when there are two training sessions and it might occur that you will have appointments with several specialists during the course of one week. After the programme we have a sit-down and analyse the change and if there is no further treatment, we recommend you have a follow-up examination every six months.
During the childhood health-centred orthodontic treatments we have our patients back every 4-6 weeks. During the training there might be a meeting twice a week, sometimes less than that. Here it is also possible that you will have appointments with several specialists in one week. As far as we can we do our best to put the in-house appointments on the same day.
It is worth mentioning that in so far as the teeth change, the nighttime sleep improving device will not be able to fit into its place. That is why we suggest that you start any of the adult sleep improving programmes with all of your teeth good and with stable fillings and reconstructions.
Just as surprising as the great number of children struggling with sleeping disorders is the fact that numerous adolescents suffer from sleeping disorders. The pandemic might be a cause of this but already in the pre-COVID times many people turned to us with sleep-related problems. These include anxiety, nightmares, snoring, fatigue, but we also have to highlight the high number of adolescent jaw joint problems.
In this stage of life lifestyle is of extremely great importance. Irregular sleeping habits and constant screen glare are the two key elements. At the same time when it comes to sports once again the extremes prevail, either a complete lack of sports is characteristic or an eviscerating (too intense and/or late afternoon or evening) sports activity and all of these are counterproductive to relaxing sleep. The treatment has roughly the same steps and techniques as sleep treatment for adults but with a great emphasis on the reforming of lifestyle.
We are aware that not stressing about things is easier said than done, it is very difficult to put it into practice. In fact, already small steps mean a lot. The basic principle is that it does not matter what happens around us but how we react to it. The small techniques of relaxing the body, winding down before going to bed can be the basics. These are followed by so-called Mindfulness practices, calming music, using scents and meditation. Our programme constantly develops. At present we only give practical advice (which is part of the booklet) but audio materials are in production and basic meditation advice and a coaching service as well.
As far as we do not know about a direct injury, or spinal disc herniation, then most likely the popping of the jaw joint, the pain or locking thereof is connected to sleep. Sleeping is the time of regeneration. If during sleep we do not get to the appropriate stages of sleep, because our body constantly wakes up again and again, then neckpain, numbness of the arm, a headache and problems of the jaw joint appear. There is a great number of methods for treating these but medical science has figured out in the recent years that only with the inclusion of sleep treatment can these be treated effectively. The situation is similar with the teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Ideally muscles are relaxed during sleep. If muscles activate, that is a sign of a sleeping disorder. What is more, this is a huge force which can be detrimental to not only the jaw joint but also the teeth, the gums and the bones of the parodontium. The solution will be sleep therapy, the setting of teeth or different kind of rails will not be sufficient in themselves. In case of jaw joint disorders in our Sleep Full programme we supplement the complete arsenal of sleep therapy with chewing muscle training.