UPDATE: Oventus have successfully completed clinical trials on the sleep apnoea mouthguard. The device is now available through clinicians in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, the Gold Coast and Cairns. To find out more visit the Oventus website: http://oventus.com.au/
Our 3D printing experts have been on the grind with dental company Oventus to help over a million Aussies suffering from sleep apnoea breathe easy and stop snoring—their bed buddies might just thank us too.
The team have created the first 3D printed mouth piece, which allows air to flow through to the back of the throat, avoiding obstructions from the nose, the back of the mouth and tongue. Is there anything 3D printing can’t do?
Up close and personalised: The 3D printed mouthguard.
This is how it works: A patient’s mouth is scanned to create a mini ‘road map’ of the mouth. This scan is then transformed into a CAD file and can be fed through our 3D printer.
Eight hours later, ta-da! A perfectly fitting, titanium mouthguard.
Sounds super comfortable right? It actually is. The device is coated in medical grade plastic, making it easy to wear and leaving not a metal mouth in sight.
Sleep apnoea occurs when the air passage in the throat becomes blocked during sleep and causes people to stop breathing. In severe cases, people can suffer hundreds of events per night and one of the biggest symptoms? Snoring.
The breakthrough mouthguard has a ‘duckbill’ which extends from the mouth like a whistle and the sides of the guard divide into two separate airways.
Since it is used only on the top teeth it is more compact than treatments on the market, which include devices that push the lower jaw forward to open up the airway or in more severe cases; a face mask which creates a continuous flow of air.
Our 3D printing expert, John Barnes, said the technology is opening new doors for treatments of a range of medical issues globally.
“When Oventus came to us with this idea, we were really excited. The possibilities of 3D printing are endless and the fact that we can now design and print a completely customised mouthpiece for patients is revolutionary.
“We can print up to ten of these in a print run, which takes about 8 hours. It’s an exciting prospect for people suffering from the debilitating disorder and the design offers significant benefits which cannot be achieved with more traditional manufacturing techniques.”
Time to say goodbye to snoring. Image: Flickr/wolfhunter
The device is undergoing further trials and is expected to be available to patients next year.
Thanks to 3D printing, we can say goodnight to sleep apnoea.
And goodbye to snoring.
* * *
CSIRO’s additive manufacturing facility, Lab 22, is currently being used to manufacture a range of prototype products including biomedical implants, automotive, aerospace and defence parts for Australian industry.
Media: Angela Beggs | angela.beggs@csiro.au | 03 9545 2977 | 0477 337 920
4th June 2014 at 8:41 am
I’m a 28 years old female and my snoring is unbearable I am ashamed to stay the night over at mates places and I make sure I am the last one that goes to sleep at night I would really like to try this product if possible could you email me
4th June 2014 at 8:47 am
Hi Jessica, thanks for your interest. We’re not performing any trials at the moment but keep an eye on the Oventus website for any updates.
Cheers,
Steph
1st June 2014 at 5:33 pm
For those people with noisy Cpap machines maybe it’s time to upgrade. I have a Res Med 9 and it is virtually silent. Even my 8 was very quiet.
26th May 2014 at 6:22 pm
I have sleep apnea and cant use my cpap machine and get migraines everyday , cant work anymore and have mental illness from it all , wont be able to afford $1500 or even less than that on disability pension sorry , really need something as I have to sleep 14 hours a day just to not be tired when I am awake as I stop breathing 3 times per minute….. Please please help me
27th May 2014 at 8:53 am
Hi Amanda, we’re very sorry to hear that. We suggest you get in touch with the Oventus dental company who will be selling the product when it comes out. They may be able to help.
Good luck.
Cheers,
Steph
25th May 2014 at 10:33 pm
Hi I was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea earlier this year and unsuccessfully used the CPAP machine due to autoimmune disease issues associated with Sjögren’s Syndrome and Rheumatoid Arthritis . I am booked in to see a dentist for the possibility of getting a splint worth $1750. Your mouthguard sounds more preferable to me ie less intrusive. I will keep an eye out for when it’s available. Just not sure what to do in the meantime? Don’t want to buy a splint for only 12 months! I guess I have probably had sleep apnea for a long time so maybe I can wait longer.
Thank You.
25th May 2014 at 10:12 pm
My husband is very interested as he has difficulty breathing,
when do these become available?
thanks Gineen
26th May 2014 at 8:47 am
Hi Gineen, they should be available to patients next year. Keep an eye on the Oventus website for updates.
Cheers,
Steph